• Journal of Life Science
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• v.26 no.12
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• pp.1470-1476
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• 2016

The viral hemorrhagic septicemia virus (VHSV), which belongs to the Novirhabdovirus genus of the Rhabdoviridae family, is a viral pathogen that causes severe losses in the olive flounder farming industry. Among six encoding VHSV proteins, the non-virion (NV) protein has been shown to have an impact on virulence. In our previous studies, transcriptomics microarray analysis by using VHSV-infected olive flounder showed that VHSV infection significantly down-regulated the mRNA expression of glycolytic enzymes. In addition, VHSV NV protein variants decreased the intracellular ATP level. Based on these results, we have tried to examine the effect of VHSV NV protein on glycolytic enzyme glucokinase expression, which phosphorylates glucose to glucose 6-phosphate. Our results indicated that the NV protein significantly decreased the mRNA expression of glucokinase in olive flounder HINAE cells. Furthermore, the NV protein played a negative role in the promoter activation of glucokinase. Furthermore, glucose uptake was effectively inhibited by VHSV infection and NV protein expression in olive flounder HINAE cells. These results suggest that the VHSV NV protein negatively regulates glycolytic enzyme expression by a transcription level and eventually leads to gradual morbidity of olive flounder through cellular energy deprivation. The present results may be useful for the prevention and diagnosis of VHSV infection in olive flounder.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.169-177
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• 2013

Recently, the number of people with diabetes is rapidly increasing, coupled with the fact that the insulin market is remarkably increasing. Therefore, molecular farming for plant-derived pharmaceutical protein production is reported as becoming more attractive than ever. In this study, we carried out experiments step by step for development of recombinant insulin constructs, which were transformed into E. coli system, in vitro transcription and translation system, and tobacco cells. At first, recombinant proinsulin protein was successfully produced in in vitro transcription and translation system with wheat germ extract. After which, recombinant construct of prominiinsulin encoded a fusion protein of 7.8 kDa with trypsin cleavage sites at N terminus and C terminus of minimized C-peptide was tried to in vitro expression using E.coli culture. After purification with His-tag column, the resulting recombinant prominiinsulin protein was processed with trypsin, and then checked insulin biosynthesis by SDS-PAGE and western blot analysis with anti-insulin monoclonal antibody. The immunoreactive product of trypsin-treated miniinsulin was identical to the predicted insulin hexamer. The construct of 35S promoter-driven preprominiinsulin recombinant gene with signal peptide region for ER-targeting and red fluorescence protein gene [N terminus ${\rightarrow}$ tobacco E2 signal peptide ${\rightarrow}$ B-peptide (1-29 AA) ${\rightarrow}$ AAK ${\rightarrow}$ A-peptide (1-21 AA) ${\rightarrow}$ RR ${\rightarrow}$ His6 ${\rightarrow}$ KDEL ${\rightarrow}$ C terminus] was transformed into BY-2 tobacco cells. A polypeptide corresponding to the 38-kDa molecular mass predicted for fusion protein was detected in total protein profiles from transgenic BY-2 cells by western analysis. Therefore, this recombinant preprominiinsulin construct can be used for generation of transgenic tobacco plants producing therapeutic recombinant insulin.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.156-161
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• 2002

Two different cDNA clones for superoxide dismutase (SOD) were isolated from an weedy rice variety (Oryza sativa, cv. Bhutan14Ad) and were introduced into a cultivated rice variety (Oryza sativa, cv. Nakdong) in order to develop the environmental stress-resistant rice plants. Sequence analysis of the cloned cDNAS indicated that the deduced amino acid sequence of SOD-A is 88.4% identical to that of SOD-B. Furthermore, the nucleotide sequence of SOD-A is 99.3% identical to that of a Cu/Zn SOD gene of Oryza sativa (GenBank accession No. L36320). The nueleotide sequence of SOD-B was identical to that of the previously published SOD gene (Accession No. D01000). A cultivated rice variety, Nakdong-byeo, was transformed with chimeric SOD genes containing a actin promoter of rice and pin2 terminator using a particle bombardment technique. Transformed calli were selected on an selection medium containing phosphinothricin (PPT). Transgenic rice plants were regenerated from the PPT-resistant calli. PCR analysis with genomic DNAs from transgenic plants revealed that transgenes are introduced into rice genome.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.15 no.3 s.70
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• pp.317-322
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• 2005

The cycloinulooligosaccharide fructanotransferase (CFTase) gene (cft) from Paenibacillus macerans was subcloned into an E. coli-yeast shuttle vector, pYES2.0, resulting in pYGECFTN. The plasmid pYGECFTN (8.6 kb) was introduced into Saccharomyces cerevisiae SEY2102 cells and then the transformants were selected on the synthetic defined media lacking uracil. The cft gene expression in yeast transformant was demonstrated by the analyses cyclofructan (CF) spots on thin-layer chromatogram. The recombinant CFTase was not secreted into the medium and localized in the periplasmic space. The production of CF was observed after 5 min of the enzymatic reaction with inulin. The optimun pH and temperature for CF production were found to be at pH 8.0 and $45^{\circ}C$, respectively. Enzyme activity was stably maintained up to $55^{\circ}C$. The CF was produced from all inulin sources and was most efficiently produced from dahlia tubers and Jerusalem artichokes.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.53 no.4
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• pp.311-317
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• 2011

The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between economic traits of Korean cattle (Hanwoo) and genetic variation in fatty acid binding protein 5 (FABP5) gene within QTL region of carcass weight and marbling score traits on BTA 14. We sequenced for detection of single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) with 24 unrelated Hanwoo samples and identified four SNPs (-1141A>G, 949A>G, 969A>G and 1085C>G). Relationship between the genotypes of 583 Hanwoo individuals by PCR-RFLP and economic traits were analyzed by the mixed regression model implemented in the ASReml program. As the result of statistical analysis, SNP1 (-1141A>G) showed significant effect (p<0.003) on marbling score (MS) and SNP2 (949A>G) showed significant effect (p<0.034) on eye muscle area (EMA). Further studies are required to validate the significant SNPs in a bigger population, but the SNPs (-1141A>G and 949A>G) of FABP5 could be a genetic marker to estimate molecular breeding value (MEBV) for carcass traits in Hanwoo.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.27 no.5
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• pp.501-508
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• 2017

Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) are multifunctional cytokines that play important roles in a variety of cellular functions. Among BMP family members, BMP2 efficiently promotes osteoblast differentiation through Smad-mediated runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2) expression. Several recent studies suggest that BMPs are associated with clock genes, in particular Bmal1. Bmal1 protein heterodimerizes with Clock protein and then induces period 1 (Per1) expression. However, the role of Per1 on osteoblast differentiation remains unclear. In this study, we investigated whether Per1 is involved in osteoblast differentiation. MC3T3-E1 cells were treated with BMP2 for induction of osteoblastic differentiation. Osteogenic maker gene and Per1 mRNA expression were measured using real-time PCR. Interestingly, BMP2 treatment induced Per1 mRNA expression in MC3T3-E1 cells. To further investigate the function of Per1 on osteoblast differentiation, MC3T3-E1 cells were transiently transfected with pCMV-Per1. Per1 overexpression increased Runx2 mRNA and protein levels. Also, mRNA expression and promoter activity of osteocalcin were upregulated by Per1 overexpression. To investigate the effect of interaction between Per1 and osteogenic condition, MC3T3-E1 cells were cultured in osteogenic medium containing ascorbic acid and ${\beta}$-glycerophosphate. Osteogenic medium-induced ALP staining level and mineralization were synergistically increased by overexpression of Per1. Taken together, these results demonstrate that Per1 is a positive regulator of osteoblast differentiation.

• Genomics & Informatics
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.240-246
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• 2014

Mutation in HNF1B, the hepatocyte nuclear factor-$1{\beta}$ (HNF-$1{\beta}$) gene, results in maturity-onset diabetes of the young (MODY) 5, which is characterized by gradual impairment of insulin secretion. However, the functional role of HNF-$1{\beta}$ in insulin secretion and glucose metabolism is not fully understood. We identified a family with early-onset diabetes that fulfilled the criteria of MODY. Sanger sequencing revealed that a heterozygous P159L (CCT to CTT in codon 159 in the DNA-binding domain) mutation in HNF1B was segregated according to the affected status. To investigate the functional consequences of this HNF1B mutation, we generated a P159L HNF1B construct. The wild-type and mutant HNF1B constructs were transfected into COS-7 cells in the presence of the promoter sequence of human glucose transporter type 2 (GLUT2). The luciferase reporter assay revealed that P159L HNF1B had decreased transcriptional activity compared to wild-type (p < 0.05). Electrophoretic mobility shift assay showed reduced DNA binding activity of P159L HNF1B. In the MIN6 pancreatic ${\beta}$-cell line, overexpression of the P159L mutant was significantly associated with decreased mRNA levels of GLUT2 compared to wild-type (p < 0.05). However, INS expression was not different between the wild-type and mutant HNF1B constructs. These findings suggests that the impaired insulin secretion in this family with the P159L HNF1B mutation may be related to altered GLUT2 expression in ${\beta}$-cells rather than decreased insulin gene expression. In conclusion, we have identified a Korean family with an HNF1B mutation and characterized its effect on the pathogenesis of diabetes.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.207-211
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• 2015

Many pronuclear stage eggs were used to generate transgenic mice (Tg) by microinjection. In this study, we used in vitro fertilized mouse eggs, followed by ultrarapid freezing to establish a simple procedure for production of Tg mice. We produced in vitro fertilized mouse eggs and cryopreserved them by ultrarapid freezing method. A total of 139 cryopreserved-thawed pronuclear eggs, of which 101 (72.6%) were survived following microinjection of chicken ${\beta}-actin$ promoter-driven firefly improved luciferase cDNA (${\beta}-act/luc^+$) and were transferred into 5 recipients. All recipients became pregnant and gave birth to a total of 15 (14.8%) pups. As a control, same DNA construction (${\beta}-act/luc^+$) was also injected into 450 in vitro fertilized eggs, of which 338 (75.1%) were survived and then were transferred into 14 recipients. Eleven (78%) mice became pregnant and littered a total of 54 (19.1%) pups. Southern blotting analysis of Tg mice indicated that one (1/15, 6.6%) and three (3/54, 5.5%) transgenic mice were production from cryopreserved and in vitro fertilized eggs, respectively. All Tg mice produced from both eggs showed the expression of improved luciferase gene. These results indicated that efficiency of produced of Tg mice from cryopreserved eggs was comparable to that from in vitro fertilized eggs. Furthermore, it is suggested that microinjection of transgene into in vitro fertilized eggs cryopreserved by ultrarapid freezing is an easy and conveniently method for production of Tg mice.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.529-534
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• 2003

This study was done to investigated the phytosterol compositions of safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) seed. The phytoestrogen activity was also determined using CAT-ELISA Kit in ethanol extract of safflower seed. The phytosterol of safflower seeds was identified using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry after saponification of the oils. The phytosterol content and composition of safflower seed oils were 4% and identified stigmast-5-en-3-ol (3$\beta$, 24S)-form, ${\gamma}$-sitosterol (clionasterol) with Wiley MS spectrum library. The synergistic effect of human estrogen receptor (hER) has been investigated using a minimal chimeric promoters composed of the TATA region of the adenovirus-2 major late promoter (A22MLP) and two consensus perfectly polindromic Xenopus vitellogenin A2 gene estrogen responsive elements (XVEREl19). Transient transfection experiments in tile human breast adenocarcinoma cell line MCF-7, which is known to express the estrogen receptor endogenously, revealed that phytoestrogen from Carthamus tinctorius L. acts as estrogen. We have observed the transcriptional activities stimulated methanol and ethanol extract of safflower seed in MCF-7, were 0.43 and 0.37 respectively, compared to that by $\beta$-estradiol as 1.0. Our data showed that safflower seeds have estrogenic activity methanol and ethanol extracts and ethanol lower than that of $\beta$-estradiol. This result provides the first evidence that the beneficial effect of safflower seeds may be mediated, at least in part, by the stimulating effect of phytoestrogen ell bone-protecting.

• Korean Journal of Breeding Science
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.261-270
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• 2009

Oxidative stress is a major damaging factor for plants exposed to environmental stresses. In order to develop transgenic rice plants with enhanced tolerance to various environmental stresses, PsAPX1, the gene of ascorbate peroxidase isolated from Pisum sativum was expressed in chloroplast under the control of an oxidative stress inducible sweet potato peroxidase2 (SWPA2) promoter (referred to as PsAPX1 plants). PsAPX1 transgenic plants showed enhanced tolerance to various environmental stresses, such as 170 mM NaCl, UV-B, ozone, 20% PEG, and drought in compared with non-transgenic (NT) plants. These results suggest that chloroplast-targeted over-expression of PsAPX1 gene could be very useful strategy for developing transgenic rice plants with increased tolerance to environmental stresses.