• 한국균학회소식:학술대회논문집
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• 2015.05a
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• pp.59-59
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• 2015

Cryptococcus neoformans causes life-threatening meningoencephalitis in humans, but the treatment of cryptococcosis remains challenging. To develop novel therapeutic targets and approaches, signaling cascades controlling pathogenicity of C. neoformans have been extensively studied but the underlying biological regulatory circuits remain elusive, particularly due to the presence of an evolutionarily divergent set of transcription factors (TFs) in this basidiomycetous fungus. In this study, we constructed a high-quality of 322 signature-tagged gene deletion strains for 155 putative TF genes, which were previously predicted using the DNA-binding domain TF database (http://www.transcriptionfactor.org/). We tested in vivo and in vitro phenotypic traits under 32 distinct growth conditions using 322 TF gene deletion strains. At least one phenotypic trait was exhibited by 145 out of 155 TF mutants (93%) and approximately 85% of the TFs (132/155) have been functionally characterized for the first time in this study. Through high-coverage phenome analysis, we discovered myriad novel TFs that play critical roles in growth, differentiation, virulence-factor (melanin, capsule, and urease) formation, stress responses, antifungal drug resistance, and virulence. Large-scale virulence and infectivity assays in insect (Galleria mellonella) and mouse host models identified 34 novel TFs that are critical for pathogenicity. The genotypic and phenotypic data for each TF are available in the C. neoformans TF phenome database (http://tf.cryptococcus.org). In conclusion, our phenome-based functional analysis of the C. neoformans TF mutant library provides key insights into transcriptional networks of basidiomycetous fungi and ubiquitous human fungal pathogens.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.58-63
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• 2020

This study was conducted to examine association between melanocortin-4-receptor (MC4R) genotypes and fatty acid (FA) composition in an F₂ intercross between Duroc and Jeju (South Korea) Native pigs (JNP). Fourteen FA composition traits were measured in more than 290 F₂ progeny population produced between Duroc and JNP. All experimental pigs were successfully genotyped for the MC4R c.1426A>G (p.Asp298Asn) single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) by using Taq I PCR-RFLP methods. We detected three MC4R genotypes, AA, AG, and GG with 0.299, 0.542, and 0.159 genotype frequencies, respectively. The MC4R AA genotype animals showed higher levels in palmitic acid (C16:0, p<0.05), stearic acid (C18:0, p<0.01), eicosenoic acid (C20:1n9, p<0.05), saturated fatty acid (SFA, p<0.01) than GG homozygotes, respectively. Whereas MC4R GG genotype showed higher values in linoleic acid (C18:2n6, p<0.001), linolenic acid (C18:3n3, p<0.001), linolenic acid (C18:3n6, p<0.001), arachidonic acid (C20:4n6, p<0.001) and unsaturated fatty acid (USFA, p<0.01) than AA pigs, respectively. The MC4R GG genotype was associated with increasing USFA and decreasing SFA in the F₂ progeny population produced between Duroc and JNP. Our finding suggests that the MC4R polymorphisms can be used as a valuable genetic marker for Duroc and JNP breeding programs to improve meat quality and to control FA compositions.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.275-282
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• 2010

Chicken is an important livestock as a valuable biomedical model as well as food for human, and there is a strong rationale for improving our understanding on metabolism and physiology of this organism. The first draft of chicken genome assembly was released in 2004, which enables elaboration on the linkage between genetic and metabolic traits of chicken. The objectives of this study were thus to reconstruct metabolic pathway of the chicken genome and to construct a chicken specific pathway genome database (PGDB). We developed a comprehensive genome database for chicken by integrating all the known annotations for chicken genes and proteins using a pipeline written in Perl. Based on the comprehensive genome annotations, metabolic pathways of the chicken genome were reconstructed using the PathoLogic algorithm in Pathway Tools software. We identified a total of 212 metabolic pathways, 2,709 enzymes, 71 transporters, 1,698 enzymatic reactions, 8 transport reactions, and 1,360 compounds in the current chicken genome build, Gallus_gallus-2.1. Comparative metabolic analysis with the human, mouse and cattle genomes revealed that core metabolic pathways are highly conserved in the chicken genome. It was indicated the quality of assembly and annotations of the chicken genome need to be improved and more researches are required for improving our understanding on function of genes and metabolic pathways of avian species. We conclude that the chicken PGDB is useful for studies on avian and chicken metabolism and provides a platform for comparative genomic and metabolic analysis of animal biology and biomedicine.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.438-447
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• 2017

Flowering is one of the most important development traits related to the production of Brassica rapa crops. After planting, a sudden low temperature triggers premature flowering, which leads to a reduction in the yield and quality of harvested production. Therefore, understanding the mechanism of flowering control is important in the agricultural productivity for preventing Brassica rapa crops. Vernalization is generally known as the main factor of flowering in the Brassica plant. However, in the subspecies of Brassica rapa, some accession such as Yellow sarson and Komatsuna display the flowering phenotype without vernalization. Circadian genes, which diurnally regulate plant physiology, have a role for photoperiodic flowering but are related to the regulation of the vernalizarion mechanism. In this report, the 22 B. rapa accession were divided into two groups, vernalization and non-vernalization, and the sequenced circadian gene, BrPRR1s. Among them, the BrPRR1b gene was found to have deletion regions, which could classify the two groups. The PCR primer was designed to amplify a short band of 422bp in the vernalization type and a long band of 451bp in the non-vernalization type. This primer set was applied to distinguish the flowering types in the 43 B. rapa accession and 4 Brassica genus crop, Broccoli, cabbage, mustard, and rape. The PCR analysis results and flowering time information of each crop demonstrated that the primer set can be used as marker to discern the flowering type in Brassica crops. This marker system can be applied to the B. rapa breeding when selecting the flowering character of new progenies or introducing varieties at an early stage. In addition, these results displayed that the circadian clock genes can be a good strategy for the flowering control of B. rapa crops.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.55 no.1
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• pp.51-59
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• 2013

This study was conducted to investigate the dietary effect of total mixed rations (TMR) containing brewers grain, soybean curd and rice straw, respectively, on growth performance and carcass characteristics of Hanwoo steers. Twenty four Hanwoo steers (average body weight 168 kg) in 6 months age were randomly allocated to 4 experimental groups, which contained 6 animals per group during 22-months feeding trial. The treatment was composed of the group fed concentrate and rice straw separately (T1), the group fed TMR containing brewers grain (T2), the group fed TMR containing soybean curd (T3) and the group fed TMR containing rice straw (T4). Body weight (BW) was not different among treatment groups during the growing and middle fattening period. However, it was significantly greater in T4 group than in T2 group on the final BW (p<0.05). Average daily gain was significantly greater in TMR groups compared to T1 group on the growing and late fattening (p<0.05). However, it was not different in total average. Dry matter intake tended to be increased in TMR groups. The feed conversion ratio was significantly lower in T4 group compare to T2 group (p<0.05). According to the yield traits, carcass weight of T1, T2, T3 and T4 were 389.0, 368.4, 387.5 and 384.3 kg, respectively. The back fat thickness, rib-eye area, and yield index were not different among the groups. Meat color, fat color, texture and maturity were not significantly different among groups. However, marbling score and appearance rate of meat quality grade of over $1^+$ were greater in T2 and T3 groups compare to other groups. Therefore, these results indicated that TMR with brewers grain and soybean curd may be ameliorated the growth performance and carcass characteristics of Hanwoo steers.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.20 no.8
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• pp.1186-1192
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• 2010

Soybean [Glycine max(L.) Merr.] is an important crop, accounting for 48% of the world market in oil crops. Improvements in economic traits, such as quality and oil constituents, arethe most important objectives in soybean breeding. The objective of this study was to identify quantitative trait loci (QTLs) that control seed size and fatty acid contents in soybean. 115 $F_{2:10}$ recombinant inbred lines (RIL) developed from a cross of 'Keunolkong' and 'Iksan10' were used. Narrow-sense heritability estimates based on a plot mean on 100 seed weight, saturated fatty acid (palmitic acid + stearic acid), and oleic, linoleic, and linolenic acid content were 0.72, 0.60, 0.83, 0.77 and 0.81, respectively. The 100 seeds weight was related to seven QTLs located on chromosomes 1, 3, 8, 9, 16 and 17. Two independent QTLs for saturated fatty acid content were identified on chromosomes 17 and 19. Five independent QTLs for oleic acid content wereidentified on chromosomes7, 11, 14, 16 and 19. Five QTLs for linoleic acid content were located on chromosomes 2, 11, 14, 16 and 19. Three QTLs for linolenic acid content were located on chromosomes 8, 10 and 19. Oleic, linoleic, and linolenic acid had one major common QTL on chromosome 19. Thus, linoleic and linolenic acid content were identified as common QTLs.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.46 no.4
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• pp.279-286
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• 2019

Currently, feather-sexing, which is based on differences in feather development at hatching, is a widely used chick sexing method in the poultry industry. For effective chicken feather-sexing, paternal early-feathering (EF) chickens and maternal late-feathering (LF) chickens must be bred. Therefore, it is critical to identify the effect of EF and LF patterns on production traits in chickens. Thus, the purpose of this study is to analyze and compare the production performances between 522 EF and 232 LF chickens in order to establish the Korean native chicken feather-sexing lines. The results showed that the survival rate of the LF group was significantly higher than that of the EF group from hatching to 52 weeks of age (P<0.05). Body weight, however, was not significantly different between the two groups at all ages. LF and EF groups did not significantly differ in age at first egg laying. However, the hen-day and hen-housed egg production of the LF group were significantly higher than those of EF group (P<0.01). No significant differences were found between the EF and LF groups in all egg quality indicators such as egg weight, eggshell color, albumin height and Haugh unit. Because the breeding target of Korean native commercial chicken is meat-type chicken, feather-sexing strains of Korean native chicken should be established using weighing-based paternal EF lines and laying-based maternal LF lines. Therefore, these results are critical for establishing desirable and effective feather-sexing strains.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.455-462
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• 2003

A study was conducted to determine the effects of feeding a diet containing no Ca supplement (limestone) during the late finishing period on growth, marbling and serum 1,25-dihydroxy vitamin $D_3$ level in Korean native cattle. Twenty-four steers (20${\sim}$24 mo of age) were divided into two groups of 12 each: one group assigned to a control diet (concentrates containing 2.5% limestone) and the other to a diet containing no calcium supplement. They were allowed to have free access to diets (concentrates and orchard grass hay) and water during the entire feeding period (223 d). Serum $Ca^{2+}$, Ca and P concentrations were not influenced by diets, but serum 1,25-dihydroxy vitamin $D_3$ concentrations determined 2 or 6 mo after the beginning of feeding the experimental diets were higher (P<0.01) in steers fed the diet without Ca supplement than in those fed the control diet (78.3 vs 51.7 and 80.3 vs 51.1 pg/mL, respectively). Steers fed the diet without Ca supplement tended to have a higher intake of concentrates, but a lower intake of hay, compared to those fed the control diet. Average daily gain was higher (P<0.05) in steers fed the diet without Ca supplement than in those fed the control diet. Feeding the diet without Ca supplement remarkably (P<0.01) increased the marbling score (5.1 vs 2.2) and the muscle (M. longissimus dorsi) fat content (10.2 vs 6.7%) with a concomitant decrease in moisture content (67.6 vs 70.4%), compared to feeding the control diet. Ribeye area was increased (77.2 vs 82.8 $cm^2$) with the diet without Ca supplement, compared to the control diet (P<0.05). Meat color, pH and water-holding capacity in longissimus muscle were not different between the two groups. The Warner-Brazler Shear (WBS) force of the longissimus muscle was slightly (P=0.08) lower in steers fed the diet without Ca supplement than in steers fed the control diet (2.9 vs 3.2 kg/1.27-cm diameter core). Sensory evaluation showed that feeding the diet without Ca supplement slightly (P<0.05) improved tenderness (4.9 vs 4.5) and flavor (4.9 vs 4.6), compared to feeding the control diet, but juiciness was not affected by diets. Results showed that deletion of Ca supplement from finishing diets is beneficial, increasing growth and marbling partly through an increased energy intake and induced 1,25-dihydroxy vitamin $D_3$ synthesis that may increase intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ concentration and in turn fat synthesis.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.48 no.3
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• pp.443-452
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• 2006

The four rice(Oryza sativa L.) lines, previously demonstrated to have vigorous herbage production at the vegetative growth stage, were investigated for their growth traits, dry matter yield and feed value using the twice-cutting system that 1st-cut is harvested at panicle formation stage and 2nd-cut at the yellow ripen stage. The twice-cutting system is regarded as an effective method in the production of forage rice by escaping lodging and insect damages caused by the overgrowth and typhoon around the heading stage.The feed value of the twice-cut rice plant of there lines were compared with the control of normal, cutting at the yellow ripen stage. The relative feed value(RFV), the total digestible nutrient(TDN) and the crude protein(CP) content of the twice-cut straw were higher the control in every lines. However, the dry matter yield (DMY), represented by the summed forage production of 1st and 2nd cut-rice plant, were lower the control, and the DMY of straws were increase but grains were decrease for twice-cutting system. In addition, TDN yield showed the similar tendency with DMY.Recently, as one of the breeding aims the researches for improving the digestibility of rice straw have been required. In this regard, twice-cutting system is recognized with the fact that it has the effect which raises the digestibility of the straw. Especially, the 2nd cut of IR73111-B-R-15-3-1 line was similar to the control at the TDN yield of straw, and would be used as a breeding material for product the roughage of good quality.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Grassland and Forage Science
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.57-62
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• 2015

"Nokyang" (Hordeum vulgare L.), a new whole-crop silage barley cultivar, was developed by the breeding team at the Department of Rice and Winter Cereal Crop, National Institute of Crop Science, RDA, Korea in 2012. It was derived from combining "Nagyoung" and breeding line "SB77368-B-145". Among the combinations made in 2001, a promising line, "SB01T2017", showed good characteristics in terms of potential forage yield in the yield trial at Iksan from 2007 to 2009. In 2009, the promising line was designated as "Iksan457" and placed in regional yield trials at six locations around Korea for three years from 2010 to 2012, and was released under the name of "Nokyang." It has the growth habit of a group III creeping plant type, with a light-green leaf and common spike. Its average heading and maturing dates were on May 6 and June 4, respectively, which were later than cultivar "Youngyang." "Nokyang" also showed strong winter hardiness, and a resistance to shattering and barley yellow mosaic virus (BaYMV) similar to those of the check cultivar. The best thing among the traits of one is a new good quality with the plant green at the latter growing period. The average forage dry matter (DM) yields in the regional yield trial were about 12.8 and 11.5 MT $ha^{-1}$ in upland and paddy field, respectively, which were higher than those of the check cultivar, by 7% and 2%, respectively. This cultivar would be suitable for an area of the Korean peninsula where the daily minimum temperature in January is above $-8^{\circ}C$.