• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.28 no.6
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• pp.53-58
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• 2013

Objectives : Pinelliae Tuber has been used as a typical unauthentic herbal medicines. Due to the morphological similarity between Pinelliae Tuber and adulterants, the correct authentication is very difficult. Therefore, we introduced DNA barcode to establish a powerful tool for the authentication of Pinelliae Tuner from adulterants. Methods : To obtain DNA barcode regions, genomic DNA was extracted from nineteen specimens of Pinellia ternata, Pinellia pedatisecta, Pinellia tripartita, and Typhonium flagelliforme, and matK and rbcL genes were amplified. For identification of species specific sequences and analysis phylogenetic relationship, a comparative analysis were performed by the ClastalW and UPGMA based on entire sequences of matK and rbcL genes, respectively. Results : In comparison of two DNA barcode sequences, we elucidated the phylogenetic relationship showing distinct four groups depending on species and identified 40 and 20 species specific nucleotides enough to distinguish each species from matK and rbcL gene, respectively. The sequence differences at the corresponding positions were avaliable genetic marker nulceotides to discriminate the correct species among analyzed four species. These results indicated that phylogentic and comparative analysis of matK and rbcL genes are useful genetic markers to authenticate Pinelliae Tubers. Conclusions : The marker nucleotides enough to distinguish P. ternata, P. tripatrita, P. peditisecta, and T. flagelliform, were observed at 40 positions in matK gene and 20 positions in rbcL gene sequence, respectively. These differences can be used to authenticate Pinelliae Tuber from adulterants as well as discriminate each four species.

• The Plant Pathology Journal
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.131-136
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• 1999

In fungi known as ascomycetes, ability to mate is controlled by a single mating type (MAT) locus with two dissimilar sequences called idiomorphs carrying genes encoding transcription factors that are unrelated to each other. Fungi requiring strains with different MAT genes to complete the sexual process are heterothallic (self-sterile); species in which as single strain is able to undergo sexual reproduction are homothallic (self-fertile). Previous analysis of sequences from several heterothallic and homothallic species of the ascomycete genus Cochliobolus showed that homothallics evolve from heterothallics and that each known Cochliobolus homothallic species arose independently, from a different heterothallic ancestral species. Here we report detailed comparative analyses of MAT sequences ad their flanking regions, and show that: (1) The level of MAT gene similarity is not correlated with reproductive life style; (2) MAT proteins from all Cochliobolus species are conserved within the transcription factor signature sequences; they are not conserved in the carboxy terminal half of MAT-1, or third of MAT-2, except in those from very closely related species; (3) A gene (ORF1) of unknown function, consistently found on the MAT flank, is more conserved than are the MAT genes themselves; (4) The intergenic sequences diverge sharply among species.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.101-106
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• 2014

This study was conducted to identify lily species native to Korea from formosan lily (Lilium formosanum) belonging to Longiflorum section. Due to flowering time, flower color and orientation, long shelf life and resistant to diseases, the native lily species can be valuable genetic resources for interspecific hybrids. One of the chloroplast genes, matK, was used to clone and sequence to explore any base changes. The matK was successfully amplified into 1,539 bp (94% of the gene) and phylogenetic tree demonstrated 6 clades for those 11 lily species used in this study. There were one or two base substitutions among 10 lilies native to Korea, while formosan lily native to Taiwan exhibited 6 base substitutions in matK gene, rendering it genetically distant. A restriction enzyme NruI recognized one of the six base changes, and digested the matK gene of 10 native lily species only, but not in formosan lily. The confirmed cleavage characteristic of the target region in matK gene was designed into a CAPS (cleaved amplified polymorphic sequences) marker which will be available to estimate compatibility of interspecific hybridization and to trace the pedigree when those native lilies are crossed with the formosan lily.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.24 no.6
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• pp.686-693
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• 2014

Restricted supply of nutrients may affect genes at the molecular level as well as physiological functions. Understanding the cellular responses during starvation is necessary for developing strategies to reduce damage caused by starvation stress. After 1 h of starvation, Got1 gene expression was increased but its expression returned to the normal state after 24 h. Mat1 gene expression continuously increased with starvation from 1 h until 24 hr. Rats starved for 1-3 days showed significant changes in expression of the Got1 and Mat1 genes, which were significantly reduced in the cerebral cortex and cerebellum. In the lung, gene expression was increased by starvation for 1-2 days but decreased on the third day. No differences were observed in gene expression in the heart. Strong Got1 lung gene expression was seen in the starvation group one day after restoration of the food supply. Muscle mass was significantly reduced at the start of starvation and remained the same after two days of starvation and one day after the food supply was restored. The Mat1 gene expression did not change. The Got1 was induced by NaCl and showed strong expression in the lung and the thymus, but the apparent decrease of the remaining changes were not observed in male rats. The Mat1 gene was not as sensitive as the Got1 gene to induction by NaCl. However, differences in gene induction by NaCl were evident between males and females, indicating that diet control of gene expression is associated with hormones.

• Mycobiology
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.269-276
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• 2016

Aspergillus luchuensis is known as an industrially important fungal species used for making fermented foods such as awamori and shochu in Japan, makgeolli and Meju in Korea, and Pu-erh tea in China. Nonetheless, this species has not yet been widely studied regarding mating-type genes. In this study, we examined the MAT1-1 and MAT1-2 gene ratio in black koji molds (A. luchuensis, Aspergillus niger, and Aspergillus tubingensis) and in Aspergillus welwitschiae isolated from Meju, a fermented soybean starting material for traditional soy sauce and soybean paste in Korea. The number of strains with the MAT1-1 locus was 2 of 23 (A. luchuensis), 6 of 13 (A. tubingensis), 21 of 28 (A. niger), and 5 of 10 (A. welwitschiae). Fungal species A. tubingensis and A. welwitschiae showed a 1 : 1 ratio of MAT1-1 and MAT1-2 mating-type loci. In contrast, A. luchuensis revealed predominance of MAT1-2 (91.3%) and A. niger of MAT1-1 (75%). We isolated and identified 2 A. luchuensis MAT1-1 strains from Meju, although all strains for making shochu in Japan are of the MAT1-2 type. These strains may be a good resource for breeding of A. luchuensis to be used in the Asian fermented-food industry.

• Korean Journal of Plant Taxonomy
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• v.44 no.1
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• pp.39-50
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• 2014

Phylogenetic positions of Sedirea and Neofinetia were addressed using the chloroplast matK and the nuclear ITS sequences. We also evaluate the usefulness of the makers for the identification of species and localities. Sedirea and Neofinetia form an independent monophyletic genus, respectively, in both matK and nuclear ITS trees. The sister genus of the Neofinetia was Vanda in both trees. In addition, our trees support the separate recognition of the Neofinetia from Vanda rather than the inclusion of Neofinetia into Vanda. The sister group of the Sedirea was (Dimorphorchis(Pteroceras(Saccolabiun+Phalaeonopsis))) clade. The Dimorphorchis was one of the most probable sister genus to the Sedirea. The sister group relationship between Sedirea and Aerides was suggested by their similar morphology, but not supported in molecular trees. The identification of species and localities of Neofinetia was possible using our two molecular markers. However, several pseudo-gene sequences are discovered from the public data base. In addition, the horizontal gene transfer of chloroplast genomes is frequent events in orchid hybrids. Therefore, we need a careful evaluation for the data prior to systematic use. Generation of sequence data from multiple accessions of a species may helpful to reduce these types of error.

• Korean Journal of Plant Taxonomy
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• v.46 no.2
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• pp.163-174
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• 2016

Gnetum (Gnetaceae, Gnetales) is a gymnosperm genus with ca. 35 species distributed in tropical forests around the world. Due to its dioecious habit and lack of diagnostic characters from vegetative tissue, the identification of Gnetum species is not easy without seeds or reproductive structures. To identify and verify their phylogenetic positions, we applied DNA barcoding to Cambodian Gnetum collections gathered between 2010 and 2015, with previously designed cp matK gene primers. We newly sequenced partial matK sequences from 72 Gnetum collections, 43 out of 72 from Cambodia, and analyzed 115 Gnetum accessions using the neighbor-joining method. The resulting neighbor-joining tree categorized Cambodian Gnetum samples into three clades of species: G. macrostachyum, G. montanum, and G. aff. gracilipes. The recognition of G. aff. gracilipes in Cambodia is reported here for the first time. Taxonomic information for the three recognized Cambodian Gnetum species is provided and the benefits of the taxonomic reevaluation assisted by DNA barcoding are emphasized in this work.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Plant Pathology Conference
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• 2003.10a
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• pp.85.1-85
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• 2003

In most ascomycetes, a single mating type locus, MAT, with two alternate forms (MAT1-1 and MAT1-2) called idiomorphs, controls mating ability. In heterothallic ascomycetes these alternate idiomorphs reside in different nuclei. In contrast, most homothallic ascomycetes carry both MAT1-1 and MAT1-2 in a single nucleus, usually closely linked. An example of the latter is Gibberella zeae, a producer of mycotoxins such as trichothecene and zearalenone that threaten human and animal health. We asked if G. zeae could be made strictly heterothallic by manipulation of MAT. Targeted gene replacement was used to differentially delete MAT1-1 or MAT1-2 from a wild type haploid MAT1-1 MAT1-2 strain, resulting in MAT1-1；mat1-2, mat1-1；MAT1-2 strains that were self-sterile, yet able to cross to wild type testers and more importantly, to each other. These results indicated that differential deletion of MAT idiomorphs eliminates selfing ability of G. zeae, but the ability to outcross is retained. To our knowledge, this is the first report of complete conversion of fungal reproductive strategy from homothallic to heterothallic by targeted manipulation of MAT. Practically, this approach opens the door to simple and efficient procedures for obtaining sexual recombinants of G. zeae that will be useful for genetic analyses of mycotoxin production and other traits, such as ability to cause disease.

• Korean Journal of Plant Taxonomy
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.243-253
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• 2015

Series Chinensis, Genus Iris, endemic to the far regions of East Asia, consists of four species and related varieties. This series is divided into two major groups (I. rossii and I. minutiaurea complex). In this study, the ITS region and matK gene sequences within nuclear ribosomal DNA and plastid DNA were analyzed in order to investigate the phylogenetic relationships among the I. minutiaurea complex (I. minutiaurea, I. odaesanensis, and I. koreana) and the taxonomic identities of a putative hybrid in Mt. Palgong. In the internal transcribed spacer (ITS1, 5.8S, and ITS2) region, a total of 106 cloned genomic sequences from three taxa were obtained to study the intragenomic polymorphisms of the ITS regions. Three taxa revealed high levels of intragenomic polymorphisms, indicative of incomplete nrDNA concerted evolution. This incomplete ITS concerted evolution in the series Chinensis may be linked to the recent species divergence and frequent interspecies hybridization of the series Chinensis. In the matK gene, three taxa were fairly separated by eleven variable sites. In eight individuals collected on Mt. Palgong, putative hybrids between I. odaesanensis and I. minutiaurea were clustered in the I. minutiaurea clade in the NJ (neighbor-joining) tree based on the matK gene. However, in the ITS tree, some of them were clustered in the I. odaesanensis clade and others were clustered in the I. minutiaurea clade. Therefore, the individuals on Mt. Palgong were formed by the hybridization between two taxa (I. odaesanensis and I. minutiaurea) and not through the lineage of I. koreana.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.11
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• pp.6433-6438
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• 2013

In hepatocellular cancer (HCC), lack of response to chemotherapy and radiation treatment can be caused by a loss of epigenetic modifications of cancer cells. Methionine adenosyltransferase 1A is inactivated in HCC and may be stimulated by an epigenetic change involving promoter hypermethylation. Therefore, drugs releasing epigenetic repression have been proposed to reverse this process. We studied the effect of the demethylating reagent 5-aza-2'-deoxycitidine (5-Aza-CdR) on MAT1A gene expression, DNA methylation and S-adenosylmethionine (SAMe) production in the HCC cell line Huh7. We found that MAT1A mRNA and protein expression were activated in Huh7 cells with the treatment of 5-Aza-CdR; the status of promoter hypermethylation was reversed. At the same time, MAT2A mRNA and protein expression was significantly reduced in Huh7 cells treated with 5-Aza-CdR, while SAMe production was significantly induced. However, 5-Aza-CdR showed no effects on MAT2A methylation. Furthermore, 5-Aza-CdR inhibited the growth of Huh7 cells and induced apoptosis and through down-regulation of Bcl-2, up-regulation of Bax and caspase-3. Our observations suggest that 5-Aza-CdR exerts its anti-tumor effects in Huh7 cells through an epigenetic change involving increased expression of the methionine adenosyltransferase 1A gene and induction of S-adenosylmethionine production.