• Molecules and Cells
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.331-339
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• 2020

Genetic modifications in noncoding regulatory regions are likely critical to human evolution. Human-accelerated noncoding elements are highly conserved noncoding regions among vertebrates but have large differences across humans, which implies human-specific regulatory potential. In this study, we found that human-accelerated noncoding elements were frequently coupled with DNase I hypersensitive sites (DHSs), together with monomethylated and trimethylated histone H3 lysine 4, which are active regulatory markers. This coupling was particularly pronounced in fetal brains relative to adult brains, non-brain fetal tissues, and embryonic stem cells. However, fetal brain DHSs were also specifically enriched in deeply conserved sequences, implying coexistence of universal maintenance and human-specific fitness in human brain development. We assessed whether this coexisting pattern was a general one by quantitatively measuring evolutionary rates of DHSs. As a result, fetal brain DHSs showed a mixed but distinct signature of regional conservation and outlier point acceleration as compared to other DHSs. This finding suggests that brain developmental sequences are selectively constrained in general, whereas specific nucleotides are under positive selection or constraint relaxation simultaneously. Hence, we hypothesize that human- or primate-specific changes to universally conserved regulatory codes of brain development may drive the accelerated, and most likely adaptive, evolution of the regulatory network of the human brain.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.273-278
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• 2012

Staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB), which is a bacterial superantigen produced by Staphylococcus aureus, is associated with serious diseases, including food poisoning and atopic dermatitis. This study was performed to produce about 30 kDa of recombinant SEB protein and to immunize in chickens to acquire the specific egg yolk antibody (IgY) against the recombinant SEB. Chickens were immunized with the recombinant SEB intramuscularly in the breast muscle by injection 3 times at intervals of two weeks. Serum- and egg yolk-antibody titers of hens against SEB were highest at 4 weeks after first immunization. In western blot, anti-recombinant SEB IgY was reacted immunospecifically against the recombinant SEB and commercialized SEB. These results suggested that the recombinant SEB antigen could be used as an immunogen to elicit antibody (IgY) against SEB and the anti-recombinant SEB IgY could neutralized staphylococcal enterotoxin B effectively.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.241-247
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• 2015

A participatory approach of local stakeholders is important to create a balance between nature protection and the sustainable use of natural resources in a nature reserve and its vicinity area. The zoning and management policy of biosphere reserves (BRs) is a good example of this idea, especially for island reserves. Yakushima was inscribed as a World Natural Heritage (WH) in 1993. Almost all of its residents did not remember that Yakushima was a BR. In addition, Yakushima has some problems in nature reserve management. Overabundance of the deer population is a critical threat to both agriculture and natural vegetation in the world heritage site. There are too many tourists visiting the WH site and Nagata-hama beach. The beach is a Ramsar site and one of the most important spawning grounds of sea turtles in the north Pacific. Now, residents and the municipality have decided to reactivate the Yakushima BR. Although the Ministry of the Environment of Japan has an initiative to manage the WH and the Ramsar site, the BR is managed by the municipality and local stakeholders. Local activities of both nature conservation and the sustainable use of natural resources are encouraged in the BR site. The islanders willingly included all areas of the island into the BR site. Scientists who have participated in the Society of Yakushimaology have played a significant role to build trust between local stakeholders and to seek feasible policies on the nature reserves. The concept of the "Yakushima Environmental Culture Village" is a good model for the extension plan of the Yakushima and Kuchinoerabujima BRs.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.33 no.10
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• pp.1579-1589
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• 2020

Objective: This study was conducted to investigate the roles of LIM kinases (LIMK1 and LIMK2) during porcine early embryo development. We checked the mRNA expression patterns and localization of LIMK1/2 to evaluate their characterization. We further explored the function of LIMK1/2 in developmental competence and their relationship between actin assembly and cell junction integrity, specifically during the first cleavage and compaction. Methods: Pig ovaries were transferred from a local slaughterhouse within 1 h and cumulus oocyte complexes (COCs) were collected. COCs were matured in in vitro maturation medium in a CO2 incubator. Metaphase II oocytes were activated using an Electro Cell Manipulator 2001 and microinjected to insert LIMK1/2 dsRNA into the cytoplasm. To confirm the roles of LIMK1/2 during compaction and subsequent blastocyst formation, we employed a LIMK inhibitor (LIMKi3). Results: LIMK1/2 was localized in cytoplasm in embryos and co-localized with actin in cell-to-cell boundaries after the morula stage. LIMK1/2 knockdown using LIMK1/2 dsRNA significantly decreased the cleavage rate, compared to the control group. Protein levels of E-cadherin and β-catenin, present in adherens junctions, were reduced at the cell-to-cell boundaries in the LIMK1/2 knockdown embryos. Embryos treated with LIMKi3 at the morula stage failed to undergo compaction and could not develop into blastocysts. Actin intensity at the cortical region was considerably reduced in LIMKi3-treated embryos. LIMKi3-induced decrease in cortical actin levels was attributed to the disruption of adherens junction and tight junction assembly. Phosphorylation of cofilin was also reduced in LIMKi3-treated embryos. Conclusion: The above results suggest that LIMK1/2 is crucial for cleavage and compaction through regulation of actin organization and cell junction assembly.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.18 no.7
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• pp.933-941
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• 2005

To develop a functional cDNA chip, specific genes expressed in the tissues of swine Kagoshima Berkshire were screened. A total of 4,434 ESTs were obtained by constructing a cDNA library from total RNA isolated from the muscle and fat tissues, affirming their functions by investigating similarity of nucleotide sequences with the database at the NCBI. Among them, 1,230 ESTs were confirmed as novel genes, which, to date, have not been identified. Attaching the genes to a cDNA microarray slide revealed expression patterns of genes in muscle and fat according to the growth stages of swine. As specific genes expressed in the muscle tissues of swine with body weight of 30 kg, 60 genes including actin, myosin, tropomysin, transfer RNA-trp synthetase, Kel-like protein 23, KIAA0182 and COI, Foocen-m, etc were obtained. In addition, 18 novel genes were obtained. As specific genes expressed in fat tissues of swine with body weight of 30 kg, 47 genes including annexin II, Collagen, Fibronectin, Pleckstrin homology domain, serine protease, etc were obtained. 21 novel genes were also obtained. The genes specifically expressed in the muscle and fat tissues of swine affect contraction and relaxation of the muscle and the fat. However, studies on the expression mechanisms of the genes are insufficient. To reveal species of structural genes in swine muscle and fat tissue, interrelation studies in expression and function of genes by using the cDNA chip should be conducted.

• Journal of the Korean Geographical Society
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.518-534
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• 2003

A number of previous studies have maintained that information technologies, due to their ability to overcome distance, can nurturing an innovative class of polycentric urban configurations, i.e., network cities. The present study intends to clarify whether any network relationship has recently been emerged among Korean cities by the advancement of information technology. The analyses focused on the geography of Korean national domains (.kr domains), and the hyperlink associations among three major types of domains, namely commercial, academic, and organizational domains. The study findings altogether indicate that the advancement of global economy and information era appears to be enhancing, rather than reducing the status of primate city. Seoul dominates the entire nation, forming an enclave in the production and consumption of information. Only the domains of educational institutes show network-like relations among local centers to a certain extent. The paper concludes with a discussion on the implications of the findings for future research and ‘spatial’ policy measures.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.18 no.8
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• pp.1080-1087
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• 2005

By screening specific genes related to the muscle growth of swine using cDNA microarray technology, a total of 5 novel genes (GF (growth factor) I, II, III, IV and V) were identified. Results of southern blotting to investigate the number of copies of these genes in the genome of swine indicated that GF I, GF III, and GF V existed as one copy and GF II, and GF IV existed as more than two copies. It was suggested that there are many isoforms of these genes in the genome of swine. Also, results of northern blotting to investigate whether these genes were expressed in grown muscle, using GF I, III, and V indicated that all the genes were much more expressed in the muscle of swine with body weight of 90 kg. Expression patterns of these genes in other organs, namely muscle and propagation and fat tissues, were investigated by extracting RNA from the tissues. These genes were not expressed in the propagation and fat tissues, but were expressed in the muscle tissue. To determine the mechanism of muscle growth, further studies should be preceded using the 3 specific genes related to muscle growth, that is GF I, III, and V.

• The Journal of Korean Society of Virology
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.107-118
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• 1999

To characterize the molecular nature of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1, we determined the full-length HIV-1 sequences from cultured peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of a Korean long-term nonprogressor (LTNP). Without antiretroviral therapy, the individual has maintained CD4+ T counts over $500/{\mu}l$ from 1989 to 1999. Plasma viral RNA copy was 992 U/ml in 1998. Culture supernatant showed positive from culture days 9. A series of 9 overlapping PCR products were amplified from cultured PBMC and cloned About 9.2 kb from R of 5' LTR to R of 3' LTR was determined by automated sequencing. The G-to-A hypermutations were shown throughout the entire region. As a result of G to A hypermutations, premature stop codon was found in integrase coding region. Though there was no recombination between subtypes over all genomes, TATA box in both LTRs was TAAAA which is detected in subtype E instead of TATAA in subtype B. And, there were nucleotide GC insertion between $NF-{\kappa}B$ I and Sp1 III, and duplication of $TCF-1{\alpha}$ in LTR. We could not find any deletion of amino acid in Nef, Gag, Pol and Env gene. This study is the first report on molecular nature of full genomes of HIV-1 isolated in Korea.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.1-6
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• 2013

A lot of works have been dedicated to clarify the reasons why the establishment of embryonic stem cells (ESCs) from pig is more difficult than that from mouse and human. Several concomitant factors such as culture condition including feeder layer, sensitivity of cell to cell contact, definitive markers of pluripotency for evaluation of the validity and optimal timing of derivation have been suggested as the disturbing factors in the establishment of porcine ESCs Traditionally, attempts to derive stem cells from porcine embryos have depend on protocols established for mouse ESCs using inner cell mass (ICM) for the isolation and culture. And more recently, protocols used for primate ESCs were also applied. However, there is no report for the establishment of porcine ESCs. Indeed, ungulate species including pigs have crucial developmental differences unlike rodents and primates. Here we will review recent studies about issues for establishment of porcine ESCs and discuss the promise and strategies focusing on the timing for derivation and pluripotent state of porcine ESCs.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.431-436
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• 2008

To identify genes whose expression correlated with biological features of therapy-related AML (t-AML), we analyzed the expression profiles of de novo AML t(9;11) and t-AML t(9;11) bone marrow samples using previously published SAGE data. Three-hundred twenty-nine transcripts that satisfied statistical (P<0.05) and magnitude-of-change ($\geq$ 4-fold) criteria were identified as differentially expressed between de novo AML t(9;11) and t-AML t(9;11) cells. Of these transcripts, 301 (91%) matched known genes or ESTs and were classified according to functional categories (http://david.abcc.ncifcrf.gov/). The majority of differentially expressed genes in t-AML t(9;11) were involved in the regulation of biological and metabolic processes. Especially prominent among these were genes related to immune and drug responses. These results establish a framework for developing new drugs for the treatment of t-AML.