• Proceedings of the Korean Society for Bioinformatics Conference
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• 2005.09a
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• pp.113-117
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• 2005

In comparative genome analyses, synteny blocks play important roles for finding ortholog genes, reconstructing phylogenetic tree and predicting genome rearrangement events. In this paper, we propose a novel method to search biologically plausible synteny blocks not only from the viewpoint of finding highly preserved regions but also from the viewpoint of analyzing genome rearrangements. We have applied the method to our experiments on four fungal organisms, and succeeded to obtain some biologically interesting results.

• Journal of Veterinary Science
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.12.1-12.11
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• 2021

Background: Bats have been considered natural reservoirs for several pathogenic human coronaviruses (CoVs) in the last two decades. Recently, a bat CoV was detected in the Republic of Korea; its entire genome was sequenced and reported to be genetically similar to that of the severe acute respiratory syndrome CoV (SARS-CoV). Objectives: The objective of this study was to compare the genetic sequences of SARS-CoV, SARS-CoV-2, and the two Korean bat CoV strains 16BO133 and B15-21, to estimate the likelihood of an interaction between the Korean bat CoVs and the human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor. Methods: The phylogenetic analysis was conducted with the maximum-likelihood (ML) method using MEGA 7 software. The Korean bat CoVs receptor binding domain (RBD) of the spike protein was analyzed by comparative homology modeling using the SWISS-MODEL server. The binding energies of the complexes were calculated using PRODIGY and MM/GBGA. Results: Phylogenetic analyses of the entire RNA-dependent RNA polymerase, spike regions, and the complete genome revealed that the Korean CoVs, along with SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2, belong to the subgenus Sarbecovirus, within BetaCoVs. However, the two Korean CoVs were distinct from SARS-CoV-2. Specifically, the spike gene of the Korean CoVs, which is involved in host infection, differed from that of SARS-CoV-2, showing only 66.8%-67.0% nucleotide homology and presented deletions within the RBD, particularly within regions critical for cross-species transmission and that mediate interaction with ACE2. Binding free energy calculation revealed that the binding affinity of Korean bat CoV RBD to hACE2 was drastically lower than that of SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2. Conclusions: These results suggest that Korean bat CoVs are unlikely to bind to the human ACE2 receptor.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.75-84
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• 2013

Objectives : The origin of Breeae Herba (So-gye) and Cirsii Herba (Dae-gye) is differently prescribed in Korean and Chinese modern pharmacopoeia. Since the similar morphological characteristics and chaotic plant names, moreover, the aerial part of Carduus crispus have been used as the Cirsii Herba. To develop a reliable method for correct identification of these herbal medicines and to evaluate the genetic relationship of these closely related plant species, we analyzed sequences of DNA barcode regions. Methods : Thirty-one samples of 6 medicinal plants (B. segeta, B. setosa, C. japonicum var. maackii, C. setidens, C. chanroenicum, and C. crispus) were collected from different habitate and nucleotide sequences of DNA barcode regions (rDNA-ITS, matK, and rbcL) were analyzed after amplification using appropriate primers reported in previous studies. The nucleotides of species-specific authentic marker and phylogenetic relations were estimated based on the entire sequences of DNA barcodes by the analysis of ClastalW and UPGMA, respectively. Results : In comparative analysis of DNA barcode sequences, we obtained specific nucleotides to discriminate the medicinal plant of Breeae/Cirsii Herba in species level and evaluated the phylogenetic relationship of these species. Futhermore, we identified distinct marker nucleotides enough to authenticate respective species. These sequence differences at corresponding positions were avaliable genetic markers to determine the botanical origins of Breeae Herbal as well as Cirsii Herba. Conclusions : These marker nucleotides would be useful to identify the official herbal medicines by providing of definitive information that can identify each plant species and distinguish from unauthentic adulterants and substitutes.

• The Journal of the Korean Society for Microbiology
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• v.34 no.6
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• pp.561-571
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• 1999

Diagnosis of mycobacterial infection is dependent upon the isolation and identification of causative agents. The procedures involved are time consuming and technically demanding. To improve the laborious identification process mycobacterial systematics supported by gene analysis is feasible, being particularly useful for slowly growing or uncultivable mycobacteria. To complement genetic analysis for the differentiation and identification of mycobacterial species, an alternative marker gene, rpoB encoding the ${\beta}$ subunit of RNA polymerase, was investigated. rpoB DNAs (342 bp) were amplified from 52 reference strains of mycobacteria including Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv (ATCC 27294) and clinical isolates by the PCR. The nucleotide sequences were directly determined (306 bp) and aligned using the multiple alignment algorithm in the MegAlign package (DNASTAR) and MEGA program. A phylogenetic tree was constructed with a neighborhood joining method. Comparative sequence analysis of rpoB DNA provided the basis for species differentiation. By being grouped into species-specific clusters with low sequence divergence among strains belonging to same species, all the clinical isolates could be easily identified. Furthermore RFLP analysis enabled rapid identification of clinical isolates.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.75-81
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• 2008

Rates of molecular evolution are known to vary widely among taxonomic groups. A number of studies, examining various taxonomic groups, have indicated that body size is negatively and clutch size is positively correlated with the rates of nucleotide substitutions among vertebrate species. Generally, either smaller body mass or larger clutch size is associated with shorter generation times and higher metabolic rates. However, this generality is subject to ongoing debate, and large-scale comparative studies of species below the Order level are lacking. In this study, phylogenetically independent methods were used to test for relationships between rates of the mitochondrial cytochrome b evolution and a range of life history traits, such as body mass and clutch size in the Order Galliformes. This analysis included data from 67 species of Galliformes birds and 2 outgroup species in Anseriformes. In contrast to previous studies, taxa were limited to within-Order level, not to Class or higher. I found no evidence to support an effect of life history traits on the rate of molecular evolution within the Galliformes. These results suggest that such relationship may be too weak to be observed in comparisons of closely related species or may not be a general pattern that is applicable to all nucleotide sequences or all taxonomic groups.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.1-10
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• 2002

With the establishment of rapid sequence analysis of 16S rRNA and the recognition of its potential to determine the phylogenetic position of any prokaryotic organism, the role of 16S rRNA similarities in the present species definition in bacteriology need to be clarified. Comparative studies clearly reveal the limitations of the sequence analysis of this conserved gene and gene product in the determination of relationship at the pathogenic strain level for which DNA-DNA reassociation experiments still constitute the superior method. Since today the primary structure of 16S rRNA is easier to determine than hybridization between DNA strands, the strength of the sequence analysis is to recognize the level at which DNA pairing studies need to be performed, which certainly applies to similarities of 97% and higher.

• Journal of Mushroom
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.244-248
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• 2016

In order to isolate thermophilic bacteria with high activity of CMCase and xylanase, spent mushroom substrates was collected from an oyster mushroom cultivation farm in Jinju, Gyeongnam, Korea. Among the isolates, one strain designated as YJ09 was selected by agar diffusion method. The isolate YJ09 was identified as a member of Bacillus licheniformis based on biochemical characteristics using Bacillus ID kit and MicroLog system. Comparative 16S rDNA sequence analysis showed that isolate YJ09 formed a distinct phylogenetic tree within the genus Bacillus and was most closely related to Bacillus licheniformis with sequence similarity of 98.9%. Based on its physiological properties, biochemical characteristics and phylogenetic distinctiveness, the isolate YJ09 was classified as Bacillus licheniformis. The CMCase and xylanase activity of B. licheniformis YJ09 was slightly increased corresponding to the bacterial population from exponential phase to stationary phase in the growth curve of B. licheniformis YJ09.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.31 no.5
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• pp.15-23
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• 2016

Objectives : Araliae Continentalis Radix and Angelicae Pubescentis Radix have been used as the same medicinal name Korean and Chinese traditional medicines, respectively. The authentic Araliae Continentalis Radix is described only the root of Aralia continentalis in the Korean Pharmarcopoeia. However, the dried root of Angelica biserrata, Levisticum officinale, or Heracleum moellendorffii also has been distributed adulterants of Araliae Continentalis Radix. To develop a reliable method for identifying Araliae Continentalis Radix from adulterants, we carried out the analyses of universal DNA barcode sequences.Methods : Four plants species were collected from different habitate and nucleotide sequences of matK and rbcL were analyzed. The species-specific sequences and phylogenetic relationship were estimated using entire sequences of two DNA barcodes, respectively.Results : In comparative analysis of matK sequences, we were identified 104 positions of marker nucleotide for Ar. continentalis, 3 for An. biserrata, 4 for L. officinale and 8 for H. moellendorffii enough to distinguish individual species, respectively. Furthermore, we obtained marker nucleotides in rbcL at 42 positions for Ar. continentalis, 5 for An. biserrata and 2 for H. moellendorffii, but not for L. officinale. The phylogenetic tree of matK and rbcL were showed that all samples were clustered into four groups constituting homogeneous clades within the species.Conclusions : We confirmed that species-specific marker nucleotides of matK sequence provides distinct genetic information enough to identify four species. Therefore, we suggest that matK gene is useful DNA barcode for discriminating authentic Araliae Continentalis Radix from inauthentic adulterants.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.44 no.5
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• pp.836-840
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• 2011

In order to isolate thermophilic compost-promoting bacteria with high activity of cellulase and xylanase, spent mushroom substrates with sawdust were collected from mushroom cultivation farm, Jinju, Gyeongnam in Korea. Among of the isolates, one strain, designated SJ21 was selected by agar diffusion method. The strain SJ21 was identified as members of the Bacillus lincheniformis by biochemical characteristics using Bacillus ID kit and VITEK 2 system. Comparative 16S rDNA gene sequence analysis showed that strain SJ21 formed a distinct phylogenetic tree within the genus Bacillus and was most closely related to Bacillus subtilis with 16S rDNA gene sequence similarity of 99%. On the basis of its physiological properties, biochemical characteristics and phylogenetic distinctiveness, strain SJ21 was classified within the genus Bacillus, for which the name Bacillus sp. SJ21 is proposed. The cellulase and xylanase activity of Bacillus sp. SJ21 was slightly increased according to bacterial population from exponential phase to stationary phase in growth curve for Bacillus sp. SJ21.

• Horticultural Science & Technology
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.322-327
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• 2013

The genetic diversity and phylogenetic relationships of eleven herbaceous peonies grown in Korea were analyzed by random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD). Twenty-four decamer RAPD primers were used in a comparative analysis of these Korean peony species. Of the 142 total RAPD fragments amplified, 124 (87.3%) were found to be polymorphic. The remaining 18 fragments were found to be monomorphic (12.7%) shared by individuals of all 11 peony species. Cluster analysis based on the presence or absence of bands was performed by Jaccard's similarity coefficient, based on Unweighted Pair Group Method with Arithmetic Averages. Genetic similarity range was 0.39 to 0.90 with a mean of 0.64. This study offered a rapid and reliable method for the estimation of variability among different peony species which could be utilized by the breeders for further improvement of the local peony species. Also, the results propose that the RAPD marker technique is a useful tool for evaluation of genetic diversity and relationship amongst different peony species.