• Journal of Species Research
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.341-354
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• 2023

This is the third series of catalogs reporting on Korean species discovered through the 'Discovery of Korean Indigenous Species'. This catalog includes 22 species of invertebrates, excluding insects. The catalog includes the scientific name, an abridged list of synonyms, collection sites, distribution, diagnosis, and figures for each species. Additionally, we provide the newly assigned Korean name, specimen voucher, and, if available, mitochondrial CO1 or 16S gene sequences of the species listed. All species identified and documented here will be officially listed on the 'National Species List of Korea', a database maintained by the National Institute of Biological Resources(NIBR).

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.289-295
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• 2024

We have developed an aptamer that specifically binds to Porphyromonas gingivalis to reduce the cellular damage caused by P. gingivalis infection and applied it as a biosensor. P. gingivalis is one of the major pathogens causing destructive periodontal disease among the periodontal microorganisms constituting complex biofilms. Porphyromonas gingivalis G-protein (PGP) known to play an important role in the transmission of germs was used as a target protein for the screening of aptamer. The aptamer that has binds to the G-protein of P. gingivalis, was screened and developed through the Systemic Evolution of Ligands by Exponential Energy (SELEX) method. Modified-Western blot analysis was performed with the aptamer which consisted of 38 single-stranded DNA to confirm the selectivity. ELONA (enzyme linked oligonucleotide assay) used to confirm that the aptamer was sensitive to PGP even at low concentration of 1 ㎍/ml. For the rapid detection of P. gingivalis, we constructed a surface plasmon resonance biosensor with SPREETA using the PGP aptamer. It was confirmed that PGP could be detected as low concentration as at 0.1 pM, which is the minimum concentration of aptamer sensor within 5 min. Based on these results, we have constructed a SPREETA biosensor based on aptamer that can bind to P. gingivalis G-protein. It can be used as an infection diagnosis system to rapidly diagnose and analyze oral diseases caused by P. gingivalis.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.66 no.3
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• pp.567-576
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• 2024

Subclinical ketosis (SCK) is a prevalent metabolic disorder that occurs during the transition to lactation period. It is defined as a high blood concentration of ketone bodies (beta-hydroxybutyric acid f ≥ 1.2 mmol/L) within the first few weeks of lactation, and often presents without clinical signs. SCK is mainly caused by negative energy balance (NEB). The objective of this study is to identify single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with SCK using genome-wide association studies (GWAS), and to predict the biological functions of proximal genes using gene-set enrichment analysis (GSEA). Blood samples were collected from 112 Holstein cows between 5 and 18 days postpartum to determine the incidence of SCK. Genomic DNA extracted from both SCK and healthy cows was examined using the Illumina Bovine SNP50K BeadChip for genotyping. GWAS revealed 194 putative SNPs and 163 genes associated with those SNPs. Additionally, GSEA showed that the genes retrieved by Database for Annotation, Visualization, and Integrated Discovery (DAVID) belonged to calcium signaling, starch and sucrose, immune network, and metabolic pathways. Furthermore, the proximal genes were found to be related to germ cell and early embryo development. In summary, this study proposes several feasible SNPs and genes associated with SCK through GWAS and GSEA. These candidates can be utilized in selective breeding programs to reduce the genetic risk for SCK and subfertility in high-performance dairy cows.

• Oncology Reports
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.655-661
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• 2020

Alterations in DNA methylation have a central role in the development and outcome of most human malignancies. Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), the most common lung cancer, leads to the largest number of cancer-related deaths worldwide. FBJ murine osteosarcoma viral oncogene homolog B (FOSB) is a key component of the activator protein-1 transcription factor and regulates gene networks associated within oncogenic transformation. The role of FOSB in the development of NSCLC is still elusive. Therefore, the methylation status of the FOSB gene was investigated in NSCLC and its clinical significance in NSCLC progression was evaluated. The methylation status of the promoter and exon 4 regions of the FOSB gene were analyzed in 176 NSCLC specimens by bisulfite pyrosequencing and the association between FOSB methylation status and patient survival was investigated. Compared to adjacent non-malignant tissues, FOSB promoter exhibited exclusive unmethylation in all malignant tissues and the exon 4 region was found unmethylated in 18 (10.2% of the total) tumor samples. Exon 4 unmethylation was associated with downregulation of its mRNA and tended to occur in patients with lymph node metastasis. Univariate and multivariate analyses revealed that exon 4 unmethylation was significantly associated with unfavorable overall survival in patients with stage II-IIIA NSCLC (log-rank P=0.05, adjusted hazard ratio=2.43, 95% confidence interval=1.04-5.68, P=0.04). FOSB was identified as a novel gene with tumor-specific gene body unmethylation in NSCLC and a novel predictive biomarker for NSCLC prognosis. Moreover, the present results indicated that FOSB may have a tumor suppressor function in the progression of NSCLC.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.71 no.1
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• pp.155-165
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• 2020

Ataxia telangiectasia (A-T) is an inherited neurodegenerative disease caused by mutation in the ataxia telangiectasia mutated (ATM) gene, leading to loss of function in the encoded protein ATM. Because ATM functions to reduce oxidative stress by up-regulating antioxidant enzymes, oxidative stress is a prevalent A-T phenotype and a mediator of the inflammation that drives A-T pathology. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-8 (IL-8) were higher in A-T cells than in normal cells. ROS are related to mitochondrial dysfunction and activation of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) to induce IL-8 expression. Alpha-lipoic acid (α-LA), a naturally occurring thiol compound, shows an antioxidant effect in various cells. This study is aimed to determine if α-LA confers protection against NF-κB activation, IL-8 expression, and mitochondrial dysfunction in A-T cells which are exposed to the inflammatory cytokine IL-1β. A-T fibroblasts were treated with or without α-LA. The levels of intracellular and mitochondrial ROS, mRNA and protein levels of IL-8, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), ATP levels, and DNA binding activity of NF-κB were determined. As a result, IL-1β increased NF-κB activation, IL-8 expression, intracellular and mitochondrial ROS levels, but decreased MMP and ATP level in A-T cells. Pretreatment of A-T cells with α-LA inhibited IL-1β-induced activation of NF-κB, IL-8 expression, and mitochondrial dysfunction by reducing ROS levels. In conclusion, supplementation with α-LA may be beneficial for reducing the oxidative stress-induced mitochondrial dysfunction and IL-8 production associated with A-T.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.27 no.5
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• pp.294-305
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• 2024

Tomini Bay in Gorontalo offers significant potential for amphidromous goby-fry, a group of fish found in at least five estuaries in the area, namely Bone-Bolango, Paguyaman, Bilungala, Tombulilato, and Taludaa Estuaries. Preliminary results were limited to only two locations in estuarine waters, namely the Bone-Bolango and Paguyaman rivers. Further exploration of goby-fry species in various locations within Tomini Bay is essential to enhance knowledge about the abundance and aid conservation efforts. Therefore, this study identified the goby-fry species and created their distribution map in the waters of Tomini Bay Gorontalo. The samples used were obtained from daily catches of fishermen in the five estuaries during the recruitment period from February to September 2022. These samples were categorized based on their morphological similarities and specific melanophore patterns. Distinct groups with different melanophore patterns from those previously reported were identified as newly recorded species, photographed, and described in terms of their morphology. Furthermore, two specimens from each newly recorded species underwent molecular identification using the cytochrome oxidase subunit 1 (COI) gene for DNA amplification and were analyzed through the Basic Local Alignment Search Tool (BLAST) method. The phylogenetic tree was constructed using the Maximum Likelihood Method. The results showed the existence of nongoby-fry species caught together with goby fry school. A total of 75,881 goby-fry and 1,687 nongoby-fry were successfully collected. Among the goby-fry species, 13 were identified, including three new records, namely Eleotris fusca (Forster, 1801), Sicyopterus microcephalus (Bleeker, 1855), and Sicyopus zosterophorus (Bleeker, 1856). This study also documented the existence of nongoby-fry species, namely Anguilla celebesensis (Kaup, 1856), Moringua microchir (Bleeker, 1853), and Microphis leiaspis (Bleeker, 1854). It significantly contributed to the understanding of fish biodiversity in Tomini Bay.

• International Journal of Oncology
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• v.54 no.5
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• pp.1875-1883
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• 2019

Reversine, a 2,6-diamino-substituted purine analogue, has been reported to be effective in tumor suppression via induction of cell growth arrest and apoptosis of cancer cells. However, it remains unclear whether reversine exerts anticancer effects on human colorectal cancer cells. In the present study, in vitro experiments were conducted to investigate the anticancer properties of reversine in human colorectal cancer cells. The effect of reversine on human colorectal cancer cell lines, SW480 and HCT-116, was examined using a WST-1 cell viability assay, fluorescence microscopy, flow cytometry, DNA fragmentation, small interfering RNA (siRNA) and western blotting. Reversine treatment demonstrated cytotoxic activity in human colorectal cancer cells. It also induced apoptosis by activating poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase, caspase-3, -7 and -8, and increasing the levels of the pro-apoptotic protein second mitochondria-derived activator of caspase/direct inhibitor of apoptosis-binding protein with low pI. The pan-caspase inhibitor Z-VAD-FMK attenuated these reversine-induced apoptotic effects on human colorectal cancer cells. Additionally, reversine treatment induced cell cycle arrest in the subG1 and G2/M phases via increase in levels of p21, p27 and p57, and decrease in cyclin D1 levels. The expression of Fas and death receptor 5 (DR5) signaling proteins in SW480 and HCT116 cells was upregulated by reversine treatment. Reversine-induced apoptosis and cell cycle arrest were suppressed by inhibition of Fas and DR5 expression via siRNA. In conclusion, Reversine treatment suppressed tumor progression by the inhibition of cell proliferation, induction of cell cycle arrest and induction of apoptosis via upregulation of the Fas and DR5 signaling pathways in human colorectal cancer cells. The present study indicated that reversine may be used as a novel anticancer agent in human colorectal cancer.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.181-191
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• 2024

Objective : Inulae Flos(IF) has been used to treat arthritis, sever furuncle, fear and palpitation, vomiting, stroke, asthma and cough in Korean Medicine. Although the anticancer activity of IF has been reported, the molecular mechanism is still not well understood. In this study, we investigated the growth inhibitory activity of an ethanol extract of IF in HT-1080 human fibrosarcoma cells and its underlying mechanisms using two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) cell culture system. Methods : HT-1080 cells were cultured with IF for 9 days in 3D cell culture. To check an inhibition of cell prolifelation by IF, MTT assay was performed. DNA contents were measured using flow cytometry. Western blotting was used to evaluate the regulation of cell cycle- and autophagy-related proteins. Acridine orange staining was performed to confirm autophagy, and DCF-DA staining was performed to confirm the occurrence of ROS. Results : IF controlled a spheroid formation and decreased a cell viability in 3D cell culture. IF-induced cell proliferation inhibition was associated with a distinct increase of S and G2/M phase cell distribution in 2D cell cultre. In addition, IF significantly induced autophagy and generated reactive oxygen species(ROS). Interestingly, IF-induced cell cycle arrest and autophagy were recovered after pre-treatment of N-acetyl-L-cysteine, ROS scavenger. Conclusion : Our results indicate that IF induced ROS-mediated cell cycle arrest and autophagy and it may potentially useful for human fibrosarcoma treatment.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.51 no.3
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• pp.192-204
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• 2024

Objective: Cisplatin (CP) is a widely used chemotherapeutic agent, but its severe side effects impact testicular function. We investigated the potential protective effects of bilberry extract against CP-induced testicular toxicity. Methods: Forty adult male albino rats were divided into four groups. Control animals received a single oral dose of 0.9% saline. Bilberry-treated rats received oral bilberry extract (200 mg/kg body weight [BW] dissolved in 1 mL of saline) daily for 10 consecutive days. CP-treated animals were administered a single intraperitoneal dose (7.5 mg/kg BW). Finally, a bilberry+CP group received oral bilberry extract (200 mg/kg BW) daily for 10 consecutive days, with one intraperitoneal dose of CP (7.5 mg/kg BW) on day 2. We assessed sperm count, motility, viability, and abnormalities, along with testis weight, testis weight-to-BW ratio, antioxidant activity, levels of oxidative stress markers (malondialdehyde [MDA] and hydrogen peroxide [H₂O₂]), sex hormones (follicle-stimulating hormone [FSH], luteinizing hormone [LH], and testosterone), and apoptotic and anti-apoptotic markers, and DNA damage. Testicular tissue underwent histopathological examination. Results: Among CP-treated rats, significantly lower values were observed for testis weight; testis weight-to-BW ratio; levels of FSH, LH, testosterone, superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione S-transferase, glutathione, and B-cell lymphoma 2; and sperm count, motility, and proportion of normal sperm. CP administration was associated with higher MDA, H₂O₂, p53, Bax, cytochrome c, caspase 9, and caspase 3 levels, along with elevated tail moment. However, bilberry extract administration significantly improved all altered parameters. Conclusion: Bilberry treatment demonstrated protective effects and reduced CP-induced testicular toxicity via antioxidant activity and cytoprotection.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.51
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• pp.20.1-20.12
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• 2021

We explored the link between mitochondrial biogenesis and mitochondrial morphology using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) in lymphoblasts of pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) patients and compared these characteristics between tumors and control samples. Gene expression of mitochondrial biogenesis markers was analysed in 23 ALL patients and 18 controls and TEM for morphology analysis was done in 15 ALL patients and 9 healthy controls. The area occupied by mitochondria per cell and the cristae cross-sectional area was observed to be significantly higher in patients than in controls (p-value=0.0468 and p-value<0.0001, respectively). The mtDNA copy numbers, TFAM, POLG, and c-myc gene expression were significantly higher in ALL patients than controls (all p-values<0.01). Gene Expression of PGC-1α was higher in tumor samples. The analysis of the correlation between PGC-1α expression and morphology parameters i.e., both M/C ratio and cristae cross-sectional area revealed a positive trend (r=0.3, p=0.1). The increased area occupied by mitochondria and increased cristae area support the occurrence of cristae remodelling in ALL. These changes might reflect alterations in cristae dynamics to support the metabolic state of the cells by forming a more condensed network. Ultrastructural imaging can be useful for affirming changes occurring at a subcellular organellar level.