• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.284-292
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• 2018

A novel ${\beta}$-agarase, AgaJ5, was identified from an agar-degrading marine bacterium, Gayadomonas joobiniege G7. It belongs to the glycoside hydrolase family 86 and is composed of 805 amino acids with a 30-amino-acid signal peptide. Zymogram analysis showed that purified AgaJ5 has agarase activity. The optimum temperature and pH for AgaJ5 activity were determined to be $30^{\circ}C$ and 4.5, respectively. AgaJ5 was an acidic ${\beta}$-agarase that had strong activity at a narrow pH range of 4.5-5.5, and was a cold-adapted enzyme, retaining 40% of enzymatic activity at $10^{\circ}C$. AgaJ5 required monovalent ions such as $Na^+$ and $K^+$ for its maximum activity, but its activity was severely inhibited by several metal ions. The $K_m$ and $V_{max}$ of AgaJ5 for agarose were 8.9 mg/ml and 188.6 U/mg, respectively. Notably, thin-layer chromatography, mass spectrometry, and agarose-liquefication analyses revealed that AgaJ5 was an endo-type ${\beta}$-agarase producing neoagarohexaose as the final main product of agarose hydrolysis. Therefore, these results suggest that AgaJ5 from G. joobiniege G7 is a novel endo-type neoagarohexaose-producing ${\beta}$-agarase having specific biochemical features that may be useful for industrial applications.

• BMB Reports
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• v.42 no.6
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• pp.315-323
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• 2009

In order to elucidate ultimate biological function of the genome, the model animal system carrying mutations is indispensable. Recently, large-scale mutagenesis projects have been launched in various species. Especially, the mouse is considered to be an ideal model to human because it is a mammalian species accompanied with well-established genetic as well as embryonic technologies. In 1990', large-scale mouse mutagenesis projects firstly initiated with a potent chemical mutagen, N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea (ENU) by the phenotype-driven approach or forward genetics. The knockout mouse mutagenesis projects with trapping/conditional mutagenesis have then followed as Phase II since 2006 by the gene-driven approach or reverse genetics. Recently, the next-generation gene targeting system has also become available to the research community, which allows us to establish and analyze mutant mice carrying an allelic series of base substitutions in target genes as another reverse genetics. Overall trends in the large-scale mouse mutagenesis will be reviewed in this article particularly focusing on the new advancement of the next-generation gene targeting system. The drastic expansion of the mutant mouse resources altogether will enhance the systematic understanding of the life. The construction of the mutant mouse resources developed by the forward and reverse genetic mutagenesis is just the beginning of the annotation of mammalian genome. They provide basic infrastructure to understand the molecular mechanism of the gene and genome and will contribute to not only basic researches but also applied sciences such as human disease modelling, genomic medicine and personalized medicine.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.59 no.5
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• pp.457-464
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• 2021

Cystic echinococcosis is a zoonotic parasitic disease caused by Echinococcus species. Tanzania is one of the endemic countries with cystic echinococcosis. This study focussed on identifying genotypes of Echinococcus spp. in Tanzania. We collected 7 cysts from cattle in Mwanza municipal (n=4) and Loliondo district (n=3). The cysts from Mwanza were all E. ortleppi and fertile. In contrast, the cysts from Loliondo were all E. granulosus sensu stricto and sterile. Two from the 4 cysts were a new haplotype of E. ortleppi (G5). These results can improve the preventive and control programs for humans and livestock in Tanzania. To our knowledge, this study is considered the first to identify the genotype and haplotype of Echinococcus spp. in Tanzania.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.34 no.11
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• pp.1757-1765
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• 2021

Objective: The swine leukocyte antigen (SLA) gene group, which is closely linked and highly polymorphic, has important biomedical significance in the protection and utilization of germplasm resources. However, genetic polymorphism analyses of SLA microsatellite markers in Chinese miniature pigs are limited. Methods: Eighteen pairs of microsatellite primers were used to amplify the SLA regions of seven miniature pig breeds and three wild boar breeds (n = 346) from different regions of China. The indexes of genetic polymorphism, including expected heterozygosity (He), polymorphic information content (PIC), and haplotype, were analyzed. The genetic differentiation coefficient (Fst) and neighbor-joining methods were used for cluster analysis of the breeds. Results: In miniature pigs, the SLA I region had the highest numbers of polymorphisms, followed by the SLA II and SLA III regions; the region near the centromere had the lowest number of polymorphisms. Among the seven miniature pig breeds, Diannan small-ear pigs had the highest genetic diversity (PIC value = 0.6396), whereas the genetic diversity of the Hebao pig was the lowest (PIC value = 0.4330). The Fst values in the Mingguang small-ear, Diannan small-ear, and Yunnan wild boars were less than 0.05. According to phylogenetic cluster analysis, the South-China-type miniature pigs clustered into one group, among which Mingguang small-ear pigs clustered with Diannan small-ear pigs. Haplotype analysis revealed that the SLA I, II, and III regions could be constructed into 13, 7, and 11 common haplotypes, respectively. Conclusion: This study validates the high genetic diversity of the Chinese miniature pig. Mingguang small-ear pigs have close kinship with Diannan small-ear pigs, implying that they may have similar genetic backgrounds and originate from the same population. This study also provides a foundation for genetic breeding, genetic resource protection, and classification of Chinese miniature pigs.

• Journal of Marine Life Science
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.83-89
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• 2017

In abalones, interspecific hybridization has been suggested as a possible means to increase production and desired traits for the industry. In Korea, Haliotis gigantea is considered a species with a larger size and higher temperature tolerance than H. discus hannai. However, H. discus hannai is considered the most valuable and popular fishery resource due to its better acceptance and higher market prices. Thus, viable interspecific hybrids have been produced by artificial inseminating H. gigantea eggs with H. discus hannai sperm. However, the reciprocal hybrid cross was not successful. In this study, the hybridity and the growth and thermal tolerance performance of the interspecific hybrids were examined. A combination of various assays revealed maximum growth occurrence at 21℃ and the higher growth rate in the hybrids than that of H. discus hannai parent. In addition, the growth and survival at high-temperature (28℃) of the hybrids was equivalent to that of the highly tolerant H. gigantea parent, suggesting new possibilities to overcome the mass mortality in H. discus hannai during high temperature periods of summer season in Korea. Furthermore, the induced interspecific hybrid status was confirmed by the presence of species-specific bands for each parental species of the random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) profiles using universal rice primer (URP), which could be used as speciesspecific markers to distinguish the hybrids and their parental species.

• Animal Systematics, Evolution and Diversity
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.169-175
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• 2017

In the northwestern Pacific region, the pen shell (Atrina pectinata) is a widely distributed bivalve and economically important in fisheries. Recently, stock of this species has been greatly reduced due to overexploitation and marine pollution, which arouses interest in conservation. Studies on genetic and taxonomic entities of pen shells have not been tried in Korea, which makes difficult to take measures for effective conservation of this marine resource. In this study, we investigated mitochondrial genetic polymorphism of pen shells collected from 4 locations in Korea and Japan using cytochrome c oxidase I (COI) gene sequences. A total of 39 haplotypes were identified among 86 individuals of pen shell. Although only 5 haplotypes were shared, no significant genetic differentiation was observed between Korean and Japanese populations. These results suggest that pen shell populations of these regions share an ancestral population which might have experienced expansion during the Pleistocene, but gene flow must have been highly restricted after expansion.

• Journal of Animal Reproduction and Biotechnology
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.183-189
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• 2019

The aim of this study was to assess the levels of genetic diversity and relationships of Korean native black goat (n = 58), compared with the exotic breed, Boer (n = 97). For the analysis of genetic characterization 11 microsatellite markers (MAF065, INRA063, CSRD247, OarFCB20, SRCRSP5, INRA006, ILSTS008, ILSTS011, INRA005, ILSTS087, SRCRSP8) were genotyped. The number of alleles was observed 3 (INRA005) to 10 (SRCRSP8) each markers. The mean expected and observed heterozygosity (H_exp and H_obs) and polymorphism information content (PIC) for the Korean native black goat breed varied from 0.551 to 0.860, 0.517 to 0.948 and 0.464 to 0.835, respectively. Principal Components Analysis (PCoA) and FCA results showed that Korean native black goat breed was confirmed to be clearly separated from bore breed. These results were scientific evidence that Korean native black goat represents a unique and valuable animal genetic resource.

• BMB Reports
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• v.50 no.1
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• pp.3-4
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• 2017

Recent advances in genome sequencing technologies have enabled humans to generate and investigate the genomes of wild species. This includes the big cat family, such as tigers, lions, and leopards. Adding the first high quality leopard genome, we have performed an in-depth comparative analysis to identify the genomic signatures in the evolution of felid to become the top predators on land. Our study focused on how the carnivore genomes, as compared to the omnivore or herbivore genomes, shared evolutionary adaptations in genes associated with nutrient metabolism, muscle strength, agility, and other traits responsible for hunting and meat digestion. We found genetic evidence that genomes represent what animals eat through modifying genes. Highly conserved genetically relevant regions were discovered in genomes at the family level. Also, the Felidae family genomes exhibited low levels of genetic diversity associated with decreased population sizes, presumably because of their strict diet, suggesting their vulnerability and critical conservation status. Our findings can be used for human health enhancement, since we share the same genes as cats with some variation. This is an example how wildlife genomes can be a critical resource for human evolution, providing key genetic marker information for disease treatment.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.441-444
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• 2004

The genetic diversities and relationships of 10 Chinese indigenous pig breeds and three exotic pig breeds have been evaluated using 26 microsatellites recommended by the Food and Agriculture Organization & the International Society of Animal Genetics (FAO-ISAG). The allele frequencies, genetic heterozygosity (H) and polymorphism information content (PIC) have been calculated. The results showed that genetic diversity of Chinese indigenous pig breeds is higher than that of the introduced pig breeds. The clustering of 10 breeds is generally consistent with their geographical distribution.

• Journal of Animal Reproduction and Biotechnology
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.76-81
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• 2021

Halla horse is crossbreed between Jeju and Thoroughbred horses and is used for riding, racing and meat production. Thus, molecular genetic studies are needed to establish and preserve the industrially valuable Halla horses. This study aimed to analyses the genetic diversity and population structure through 12 microsatellite (MS) markers for Halla and putatively related 3 breeds (Jeju, Mongolian and Thoroughbred horses). On average, the number of alleles, observed heterozygosity (H_obs), expected heterozygosity (H_exp), and polymorphic information content (PIC) among all horses were 10, 0.767, 0.799, and 0.771, respectively. Neighbor-joining tree and STRUCTURE analysis showed that Halla horses were between Thoroughbred and Jeju horses, tend to more influenced by Thoroughbred horses. Therefore, these results could be considered for use as the basic genetic breed relationships resource among the horse breeds (Jeju, Mongolian, and Thoroughbred horses) related to the origins of the Halla horse.