• Molecules and Cells
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• 제40권9호
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• pp.621-631
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• 2017

Vaccinia-related kinase 1 (VRK1) and VRK3 are members of the VRK family of serine/threonine kinases and are principally localized in the nucleus. Despite the crucial roles of VRK1/VRK3 in physiology and disease, the molecular and functional interactions of VRK1/VRK3 are poorly understood. Here, we identified over 200 unreported VRK1/VRK3-interacting candidate proteins by affinity purification and LC-MS/MS. The networks of VRK1 and VRK3 interactomes were found to be associated with important biological processes such as the cell cycle, DNA repair, chromatin assembly, and RNA processing. Interactions of interacting proteins with VRK1/VRK3 were confirmed by biochemical assays. We also found that phosphorylations of XRCC5 were regulated by both VRK1/VRK3, and that of CCNB1 was regulated by VRK3. In liver cancer cells and tissues, VRK1/VRK3 were highly upregulated and its depletion affected cell cycle progression in the different phases. VRK3 seemed to affect S phase progression and G2 or M phase entry and exit, whereas VRK1 affects G1/S transition in the liver cancer, which could be explained by different interacting candidate proteins. Thus, this study not only provides a resource for investigating the unidentified functions of VRK1/VRK3, but also an insight into the regulatory roles of VRK1/VRK3 in biological processes.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제25권6호
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• pp.800-805
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• 2012

Rice straw is an important roughage resource for ruminants in many rice-producing countries. In this study, a rice brittle mutant (BM, mutation in OsCesA4, encoding cellulose synthase) and its wild type (WT) were employed to investigate the effects of a cellulose synthase gene mutation on rice straw morphological fractions, chemical composition, stem histological structure and in situ digestibility. The morphological fractions investigation showed that BM had a higher leaf sheath proportion (43.70% vs 38.21%, p<0.01) and a lower leaf blade proportion (25.21% vs 32.14%, p<0.01) than WT. Chemical composition analysis showed that BM rice straw was significantly (p<0.01) higher in CP (crude protein), hemicellulose and acid insoluble ash (AIA) contents, but lower in dry matter (DM), acid detergent fiber (ADFom) and cellulose contents when compared to WT. No significant difference (p>0.05) was detected in neutral detergent fiber (NDFom) and ADL contents for both strains. Histological structure observation indicated that BM stems had fewer sclerenchyma cells and a thinner sclerenchyma cell wall than WT. The results of in situ digestion showed that BM had higher DM, NDFom, cellulose and hemicellulose disappearance at 24 or 48 h of incubation (p<0.05). The effective digestibility of BM rice straw DM and NDFom was greater than that of WT (31.4% vs 26.7% for DM, 29.1% vs 24.3% for NDFom, p<0.05), but the rate of digestion of the slowly digested fraction of BM rice straw DM and NDF was decreased. These results indicated that the mutation in the cellulose synthase gene could improve the nutritive value of rice straw for ruminants.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제17권4호
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• pp.1891-1898
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• 2016

Imperata cylindrica, a tall tufted grass which has multiple pharmacological applications is one of the key ingredients in various traditional medicinal formula used in India. Previous reports have shown that I. cylindrica plant extract inhibited cell proliferation and induced apoptosis in various cancer cell lines. To our knowledge, no studies have been published on the effect of I. cylindrica leaf extract on human oral cancers. The present study was undertaken in order to evaluate the anticancer properties of the leaf extract of I. cylindrica using an oral squamous cell carcinoma cell line SCC-9 as an in vitro model system. A methanol extract from dried leaves of I. cylindrica (ICL) was prepared by standard procedures. Effects of the ICL extract on the morphology of SCC-9 cells was visualized by microscopy. Cytotoxicity was determined by MTT assay. Effects of the ICL extract on colony forming ability of SCC-9 cells was evaluated using clonogenic assay. Cell cycle analysis was performed by flow cytometry and induction of apoptosis was determined by DNA fragmentation assay. The ICL extract treatment caused cytotoxicity and induced cell death in vitro in SCC-9 cells in a dose-dependent manner. This treatment also significantly reduced the clonogenic potential and inhibited cell proliferation by arresting the cell cycle in the G2/M phase. Furthermore, DNA fragmentation assays showed that the observed cell death was caused by apoptosis. This is the first report showing the anticancer activity of the methanol extracts from the leaves of I. cylindrica in human oral cancer cell line. Our data indicates that ICL extract could be considered as one of the lead compounds for the formulation of anticancer therapeutic agents to treat/manage human oral cancers. The natural abundance of I. cylindrica and its wide geographic distribution could render it one of the primary resource materials for preparation of anticancer therapeutic agents.

• 대한의생명과학회지
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• 제18권4호
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• pp.377-383
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• 2012

Recent genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified a number of common variants associated with blood pressure homeostasis and hypertension in population. In the previous study, single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the SLC4A4 gene have been reported to be associated with hypertension in Han Chinese population. We aimed to confirm whether the genetic variation of SLC4A4 gene influence the susceptibility to blood pressure and hypertension in Korean population. We genotyped variants in or near SLC4A4 in a population-based cohort including 7,551 unrelated Korean from Ansan and Ansung. Here, we performed association analysis to elucidate the possible relations of genetic polymorphisms in SLC4A4 gene with blood pressure traits. By examining genotype data of a total of 7,551 subjects in the Korean Association REsource (KARE) study, we discovered the SLC4A4 gene polymorphisms are associated with blood pressure and hypertension. The common and highest significant polymorphism was rs6846301 (${\beta}$=0.839, additive P=0.032) with systolic blood pressure (SBP), rs6846301 (${\beta}$=0.588, additive P=0.027) with diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and rs6846301 (OR=1.23, CI: 1.09~1.40, additive $P=1.2{\times}10^{-3}$) with hypertension. Furthermore, the SNP rs6846301 was consistently associated with both blood pressure and hypertension. Consequently, we found statistically significant SNPs in SLC4A4 gene that are associated with both blood pressure and hypertension traits. In addition, these results suggest that the individuals with the minor alleles of the SNP in the SLC4A4 gene may be more susceptible to the development of hypertension in the Korean population.

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제43권1호
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• pp.86-95
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• 2020

The red-crowned crane (Grus japonensis) is an endangered, large-bodied crane native to East Asia. It is a traditional symbol of longevity and its long lifespan has been confirmed both in captivity and in the wild. Lifespan in birds is known to be positively correlated with body size and negatively correlated with metabolic rate, though the genetic mechanisms for the red-crowned crane's long lifespan have not previously been investigated. Using whole genome sequencing and comparative evolutionary analyses against the grey-crowned crane and other avian genomes, including the long-lived common ostrich, we identified redcrowned crane candidate genes with known associations with longevity. Among these are positively selected genes in metabolism and immunity pathways (NDUFA5, NDUFA8, NUDT12, SOD3, CTH, RPA1, PHAX, HNMT, HS2ST1, PPCDC, PSTK CD8B, GP9, IL-9R, and PTPRC). Our analyses provide genetic evidence for low metabolic rate and longevity, accompanied by possible convergent adaptation signatures among distantly related large and long-lived birds. Finally, we identified low genetic diversity in the red-crowned crane, consistent with its listing as an endangered species, and this genome should provide a useful genetic resource for future conservation studies of this rare and iconic species.

• Animal Bioscience
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• 제34권12호
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• pp.1895-1902
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• 2021

Objective: Runs of homozygosity (ROH) are contiguous lengths of homozygous genotypes that can reveal inbreeding levels, selection pressure, and mating schemes. In this study, ROHs were evaluated in Wannan Black pigs to assess the inbreeding levels and the genome regions with high ROH frequency. Methods: In a previous study, we obtained 501.52 GB of raw data from resequencing (10×) of the genome and identified 21,316,754 single-nucleotide variants in 20 Wannan Black pig samples. We investigated the number, length, and frequency of ROH using resequencing data to characterize the homozygosity in Wannan Black pigs and identified genomic regions with high ROH frequencies. Results: In this work, 1,813 ROHs (837 ROHs in 100 to 500 kb, 449 ROHs in 500 to 1,000 kb, 527 ROHs in >1,000 kb) were identified in all samples, and the average genomic inbreeding coefficient (F_ROH) in Wannan Black pigs was 0.5234. Sixty-one regions on chromosomes 2, 3, 7, 8, 13, 15, and 16 harbored ROH islands. In total, 105 genes were identified in 42 ROH islands, among which some genes were related to production traits. Conclusion: This is the first study to identify ROH across the genome of Wannan Black pigs, the Chinese native breed of the Anhui province. Overall, Wannan Black pigs have high levels of inbreeding due to the influence of ancient and recent inbreeding due to the genome. These findings are a reliable resource for future studies and contribute to save and use the germplasm resources of Wannan Black pigs.

• The Plant Pathology Journal
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• 제37권6호
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• pp.652-661
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• 2021

Xanthomonas citri pv. glycines (Xcg) is a major pathogen of soybean (Glycine max) in South Korea, despite the availability of soybean varieties with some resistance. We conducted a nationwide survey of the incidence and severity of bacterial pustule caused by Xcg. The percentage of infected fields was 7% to 17% between 2015 and 2017. We characterized the diversity of a nationwide collection of 106 Xcg isolates based on avrBs3 banding patterns. The isolates fell into 11 groups, each represented by a type strain; only two of these were similar to isolates collected from 1999 to 2002. The diversity of Xcg strains increased and the dominant strains changed between 1999 and 2017, with three new type strains comprising 44% of the isolates examined in 2012 to 2017. Pathogenicity tests did not show evidence for a shift in the races or aggressiveness of Xcg strains. Korean soybean cultivars, including the widely-grown Daewon cultivar, were susceptible to the 11 new type strains. The cultivar CNS, which carries the rxp resistance gene, was susceptible to most type strains, including two representing 83% of the Korean Xcg strains. In contrast, Williams 82, which also carries rxp, showed resistance to at least five type strains. Collectively, these results suggest that Williams 82 has resistance loci in addition to rxp. The widespread distribution of Xcg, the high virulence of the current endemic strains, and the low resistance of most Korean soybean cultivars collectively favor widespread disease in Korea in years that are favorable to pustule development.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제20권12호
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• pp.1758-1763
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• 2010

골다공증은 복합적 전신 골격 질환으로, 공중 보건 분야의 전세계적인 주요한 관심 질환의 한 가지이다. 골다공증은 유전적 영향을 받는 질환으로, 낮은 골밀도와 적은 외력 의한 골다공성 골절 등의 특징을 보이며, 강한 유전성을 나타내는 질환이다. 그러나, 낮은 골밀도과 연관된 특정한 유전자의 다형성은 아직까지 많이 알려져 있지 않다. 본 연구에서는 SQSTM1 유전자의 유전적 다형성과 낮은 골밀도 사이의 상관성을 확인하기 위해, 한국인 유전체 연구(Korean Association Resource, KARE)에서 골밀도를 측정한 7,225명(남성: 3,622명, 여성: 3,603명)을 대상으로 SQSTM1 유전자 다형성과 골밀도 간의 선형 회기 분석을 하였다. BD-RT (원위 요골의 T 점수로 예측한 골밀도)에서 SQSTM1 유전자에서 3개의 SNP (rs513235, rs3734007, rs11249661)가 유의한 상관성이 있는 것으로 나타났으며, BD-TT (중위 경골의 T 점수로 예측한 골밀도)에서는 4개의 SNP (rs513235, rs3734007, rs2241349, rs11249661)가 유의한 상관성이 있는 것으로 나타났다. 특히 3개의 SNP (rs513235, rs3734007, rs11249661)는 BD-RT와 BD-TT 두 종류의 골밀도에서 공통적으로 유의한 상관성을 보였다. 이러한 결과로 미루어 골밀도와 SQSTM1 유전자의 다형성 간에 통계적으로 유의한 상관성을 가지며, SQSTM1 유전자는 골다공증의 발병과정에 관련이 있을 것으로 사료된다.

• 한국식품영양과학회지
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• 제46권5호
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• pp.562-571
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• 2017

본 연구에서는 선별된 유색미 5품종에 대한 자외선 조사에 따른 노화 억제 기전을 확인하고자 항산화 활성과 활성산소종(ROS) assay를 분석하였으며, 주름형성을 유발하는 효소인 MMPs와 그 upstream인 MAPK pathway(ERK, JNK 및 p38)에서의 인산화 발현을 얼마나 저해하는지를 분석하였다. 유색미 5품종 가운데 전자공여능과 ABTS 소거활성 결과, 신토흑미 에탄올 추출물(SRE)과 흑설 에탄올 추출물(HE), SRE와 흑설 열수 추출물(HW)이 각각 뛰어난 소거활성을 보였으며, collagenase 저해 활성 결과 HE가 전 농도에서 고르게 높은 저해효과를 나타내었다. 또한, ROS assay에서 SE와 HE가 전 농도에서 매우 효과적인 ROS 생성억제를 나타냄에 따라 우리는 선별된 유색미 가운데 HE를 이용하여 MMPs와 MAPK의 발현억제 pathway를 확인하였다. 그 결과 pro-collagen type I은 $100{\mu}g/mL$의 농도에서 발현이 증가하였고, MMP-1과 -13은 농도 의존적으로 발현이 억제되었으며, ERK와 p38의 인산화 또한 농도 의존적으로 억제하고 있음을 확인하였다. 이러한 결과에 따라 MMPs의 mRNA 발현을 확인하기 위한 RT-PCR을 실시하였으며, MMP-1과 3의 mRNA의 발현은 농도 의존적으로 감소하였고 MMP-9는 HE를 $100{\mu}g/mL$의 농도로 처치한 경우에 발현이 감소하였음을 확인하였다. 선별된 유색미 5종의 에탄올 추출물은 항산화 활성이 우수하였고, 특히 HE의 주름억제 활성 효능을 확인함에 따라 기능성 식품 화장품 분야에서 주름개선 및 항노화 소재로서의 가능성을 확인하였다.

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제38권3호
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• pp.210-220
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• 2015

Athletic performance is an important criteria used for the selection of superior horses. However, little is known about exercise-related epigenetic processes in the horse. DNA methylation is a key mechanism for regulating gene expression in response to environmental changes. We carried out comparative genomic analysis of genome-wide DNA methylation profiles in the blood samples of two different thoroughbred horses before and after exercise by methylated-DNA immunoprecipitation sequencing (MeDIP-Seq). Differentially methylated regions (DMRs) in the pre-and post-exercise blood samples of superior and inferior horses were identified. Exercise altered the methylation patterns. After 30 min of exercise, 596 genes were hypomethy-lated and 715 genes were hypermethylated in the superior horse, whereas in the inferior horse, 868 genes were hypomethylated and 794 genes were hypermethylated. These genes were analyzed based on gene ontology (GO) annotations and the exercise-related pathway patterns in the two horses were compared. After exercise, gene regions related to cell division and adhesion were hypermethylated in the superior horse, whereas regions related to cell signaling and transport were hypermethylated in the inferior horse. Analysis of the distribution of methylated CpG islands confirmed the hypomethylation in the gene-body methylation regions after exercise. The methylation patterns of transposable elements also changed after exercise. Long interspersed nuclear elements (LINEs) showed abundance of DMRs. Collectively, our results serve as a basis to study exercise-based reprogramming of epigenetic traits.