• The Korean Journal of Mycology
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• v.48 no.4
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• pp.423-443
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• 2020

Freshwater fungi are a poly-phylogenetic group of taxonomically diverse organisms. In this study, we isolated diverse fungal strains from various environmental samples obtained from freshwaters in Korea. These strains were identified by performing molecular phylogenetic analyses of rDNA and/or other sequences (beta-tubulin, RNA polymerase II, and translation elongation factor 1). In addition, we examined their morphological characteristics microscopically and cultural characteristics using different media. We identified eleven unrecorded Pezizomycotina species: Cladosporium angulosum, Pseudorobillarda phragmitis, Paraconiothyrium estuarinum, Pseudopithomyces palmicola, Pyrenochaetopsis paucisetosa, Thelebolus globosus, Plagiostoma mejianum, Trichoderma cremeum, Fusarium tanahbumbuense, Coniochaeta endophytica, and Chaetomium tenue. Environmental samples obtained from different freshwater ecosystems in Korea could thus be a good source for isolating and investigating novel fungal species.

• Genomics & Informatics
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.43.1-43.12
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• 2021

Campylobacter jejuni is one of the most prevalent organisms associated with foodborne illness across the globe causing campylobacteriosis and gastritis. Many proteins of C. jejuni are still unidentified. The purpose of this study was to determine the structure and function of a non-annotated hypothetical protein (HP) from C. jejuni. A number of properties like physiochemical characteristics, 3D structure, and functional annotation of the HP (accession No. CAG2129885.1) were predicted using various bioinformatics tools followed by further validation and quality assessment. Moreover, the protein-protein interactions and active site were obtained from the STRING and CASTp server, respectively. The hypothesized protein possesses various characteristics including an acidic pH, thermal stability, water solubility, and cytoplasmic distribution. While alpha-helix and random coil structures are the most prominent structural components of this protein, most of it is formed of helices and coils. Along with expected quality, the 3D model has been found to be novel. This study has identified the potential role of the HP in 2-methylcitric acid cycle and propionate catabolism. Furthermore, protein-protein interactions revealed several significant functional partners. The in-silico characterization of this protein will assist to understand its molecular mechanism of action better. The methodology of this study would also serve as the basis for additional research into proteomic and genomic data for functional potential identification.

• Journal of the Semiconductor & Display Technology
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.5-11
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• 2022

Despite the increasing importance of manufacturing and application R&D for ultrapure deionized water and electrolyzed ion water, various and systematic studies have not been conducted until now. In this study, the electrostatic discharge (ESD) behavior of electrolyzed ion water using a proton exchange membrane(PEM) was evaluated according to the type, flow rate, and bubble of electrolyzed ion water. In addition, by observing that Oxidation Reduction Potential (ORP) value returns to the unique value of electrolyzed ion water after electrostatic discharge, the possibility of two types of ions participating in electrostatic discharge ((H₂O)_n⁺ (assumed)) and ions for maintaining the characteristics of electrolyzed water could be inferred. In order to confirm the chemical structure and characteristics of the cations, in-depth research related to water molecular orbital energy or band gap should be followed.

• Journal of Veterinary Science
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.66.1-66.9
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• 2021

Background: Maedi/Visna virus (MVV) is a contagious viral pathogen that causes considerable economic losses to the sheep industry worldwide. Objectives: In China, MVV has been detected in several regions, but its molecular characteristics and genetic variations were not thoroughly investigated. Methods: Therefore, in this study, we conducted next-generation sequencing on an MVV strain obtained from northwest China to reveal its genetic evolution via phylogenetic analysis. Results: A MVV strain obtained from Inner Mongolia (NM) of China was identified. Sequence analysis indicated that its whole-genome length is 9193 bp. Homology comparison of nucleotides between the NM strain and reference strains showed that the sequence homology of gag and env were 77.1%-86.8% and 67.7%-75.5%, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the NM strain was closely related to the reference strains isolated from America, which belong to the A2 type. Notably, there were 5 amino acid insertions in variable region 4 and a highly variable motif at the C-terminal of the surface glycoprotein (SU5). Conclusions: The present study is the first to show the whole-genome sequence of an MVV obtained from China. The detailed analyses provide essential information for understanding the genetic characteristics of MVV, and the results enrich the MVV library.

• Mycobiology
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• v.51 no.2
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• pp.79-86
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• 2023

In this study, fungal strains designated as KNUF-22-14A and KNUF-22-15A were isolated from soil samples in Korea. These two strains were identified based on cultural and morphological characteristics as well as phylogenetic analyses and were found to be morphologically and phylogenetically identical. Upon their morphological comparison with closely related species, such as Tolypocladium album, T. amazonense, T. endophyticum, T. pustulatum, and T. tropicale, a difference in the size of short phialides [0.6-2.4(-9.3)×0.8-1.4 ㎛] was observed. Meanwhile, these strains had larger conidia (1.2-3.0×1.2-3.0 ㎛) than T. album, T. amazonense, T. endophyticum, and T. tropicale and smaller conidia than T. pustulatum. Phylogenetic analyses using a multi-locus datasets based on ITS, LSU, and SSU showed that KNUF-22-14A and KNUF-22-15A formed a distinct cluster from previously identified Tolypocladium species. Thus, these fungal strains isolated from soil in Korea are proposed as a novel species according to their characteristics and are named Tolypocladium globosum sp. nov.

• The Korean Journal of Mycology
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• v.51 no.2
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• pp.111-120
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• 2023

Three fungal strains designated as KNUF-23-MG32, KNUF-23-YC8, and KNUF-23-MJ82 were isolated from the abnormal symptomatic apple trees during screening fungal pathogens collected in Jeollanam-do and Gyeongsangbuk-do, Korea. These fungal strains were found to have similar cultural and morphological characteristics close to the genus Botryosphaeria. Morphological characteristics were matched with B. kuwatsukai CBS 135219 but different with B. dothidea KACC 45481 and B. sinensis HMAS 246714^T. Pathogenicity tests of strain KNUF-23-MG32 showed that this strain causes rot in Fuji apples. Molecular phylogenetic analysis based on the sequences of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions, translation elongation factor 1-alpha (TEF1α), and partial β-tubulin (TUB2) showed that these strains are B. kuwatsukai. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of an apple ring rot fungus Botryosphaeria kuwatsukai in Korea.

• The Korean Journal of Mycology
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• v.50 no.3
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• pp.183-194
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• 2022

Two fungal strains, designated KNUF-21-006 and KNUF-21-028, were isolated from soil samples collected from Gyeongbuk Province, Korea. The strain KNUF-21-006 was similar to other Pestalotiopsis species in terms of morphological characteristics, including whitish to pale brown mycelium, conidial shape, and size. The isolate had aerial hyphae that produced black fruiting bodies on the mycelium. The conidia were fusoid to ellipsoid, four-septate, and appendage-bearing. Phylogenetic analysis using the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region, translation elongation factor 1-alpha (TEF), and β-tubulin (TUB) gene sequences confirmed that the closest relationship of the isolate at the species level was with Pestalotiopsis clavata. The strain KNUF-21-028 exhibits similar morphological characteristics to other Botryotrichum species, including white aerial mycelium with sulcate and irregular margins, conidial shape, and size. The conidia were globose, single, and hyaline. Upon molecular analysis-using the ITS region, large subunit (LSU) rRNA gene, and TUB gene sequences-the fungus was identified as Botryotrichum iranicum. This is the first record of these fungal species in Korea.

• Proceedings of the Plant Resources Society of Korea Conference
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• 2020.08a
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• pp.71-71
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• 2020

Xanthoceras sorbifolia Bunge, the sole species in the genus Xanthoceras, is a flowering plant in the family Sapindaceae. It is an important tree species being a source of edible oil and biodiesel with a capacity as a pioneer of degraded and desert land. Seeds of X. sorbifolia were collected from two plantations and two superior trees in Inner Mongolia; and one plantation and one superior tree in Liaoning, China. An inter simple sequence repeat (ISSR) analysis showed genetic variation among four artificial populations in China: two in Inner Mongolia (IM), one in Liaoning (LN), and one in Shandong (SD). The average percentage of polymorphic loci was 81.25 % for these four populations. Based on an analysis of molecular variance, 23 % of the total genetic variation was found among populations, and 77 % within populations. Traits of seeds varied considerably between and among areas, for example two trees produced quite different seeds in several traits although they are adjacent to each other in the same farm. As much attention has not been paid to the traits of seeds, there should be a genetic test to understand this variation. It is necessary to obtain information on seed characteristics first and then provide basic information for further research on the selection of superior trees and provenances.

• The Korean Journal of Mycology
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• v.52 no.2
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• pp.97-108
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• 2024

In this study, three fungal isolates belonging to the phylum Ascomycota under classes Leotiomycetes, Eurotiomycetes, and Sordariomycetes were isolated from soil in Korea. These species were designated as KNUF-22-003, KNUF-22-005, and KNUF-20-NI016, respectively, and identified based on their phylogenetic relationships and morphological characteristics. The isolates were confirmed through molecular phylogenetic analyses of their internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region, 28S rDNA large subunit (LSU), and actin (ACT1 ) gene sequences. Cultural and morphological characteristics of strains KNUF-22-003, KNUF-22-005, and KNUF-20-NI016 were matched with Chaetomella oblonga CBS110.78^T, Oidiodendron chlamydosporicum CBS403.69^T, and Sarocladium subulatum CBS217.35^T, respectively. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on C. oblonga, O. chlamydosporicum, and S. subulatum in Korea.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.287-291
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• 2016

For evaluating the boar semen quality, sperm motility (MOT) is an important parameter because the movement of spermatozoa indicates active metabolism, membrane integrity and fertilizing capacity. Estrogen receptors 2(ESR2) is involved in estrogen related apoptosis in cell cycle spermatogenesis, but their functions have not been confirmed in pig until now. Therefore, this study was conducted to analyze their association with sperm motility and kinematic characteristics. DNA samples from 105 Duroc pigs with records of semen motility and kinematic characteristics [Total motile spermatozoa (MOT), Curvilinear velocity(VCL), Straight-line velocity(VSL), the ratio between VSL and VCL(LIN), Amplitude of Lateral Head displacement(ALH)] were analyzed. A SNP in coding region of ESR2 g.35547A > G in exon 5 was associated with MOT (p < 0.05) in Duroc population. Therefore, we suggest that the porcine ESR2 gene may be used as a molecular marker for Duroc boar semen quality, although its functional effects were not defined yet. These results might shed new light on the roles of ESR2 in spermatogenesis as candidate gene for boar fertility, but still the lack of association across populations should be considered.