• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• v.48 no.4
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• pp.223-227
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• 2021

Several hypotheses for the origin of cultivated sweetpotato [Ipomoea batatas L. (Lam)] have been suggested but the exact progenitor is still unknown. Based on the results of RFLP patterns, microsatellite markers, SNP markers, FISH analyses, and genome analyses of haplotypes, wild species belonging to batatas group, I. trifida, I. leucantha, I. littoralis, I. tabascana, I. tenuissima, I. tiliacea, and I. triloba have been suggested as a progenitor. However, recently, advanced genomic technologies and characterization of the inserted T-DNA fragments of Agrobacterium in the genome of cultivated sweetpotato and wild species through horizontal gene transfer suggest that there may be an older progenitor than the wild species suggested so far.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Crop Science Conference
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• 2017.06a
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• pp.139-139
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• 2017

The complete chloroplast genome sequence of Avena sterilis L., a dominant wild oat species in the family Poaceae, is first reported in this study. The complete cp genome sequence of A. sterilis is 135,887 bp in length with 38.5% overall GC content and exhibits a typical quadripartite structure comprising one pair of inverted repeats (21, 603 bp) separated by a small single-copy region (12,575 bp) and a large single-copy region (80,106). The A. sterilis cp genome encodes 111 unique genes, 76 of which are protein-coding genes, 4 rRNA genes, 30 tRNA genes and 18 duplicated genes in the inverted repeat region. Nine genes contain one or two introns. Pair-wise alignments of cp genome were performed for genome-wide comparison. This newly determined cp genome sequence of A. sterilis will provide valuable information for the future breeding programs of valuable cereal crops in the family Poaceae.

• Journal of Species Research
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.313-317
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• 2019

Bats influence overall ecosystem health by regulating species diversity and being a major source of zoonotic viruses. Hence, there is a need to elucidate their migration, population structure, and phylogenetic relationship. The complete mitochondrial genome is widely used for studying the genome-level characteristics and phylogenetic relationship of various animals due to its high mutation rate, simple structure, and maternal inheritance. In this study, we determined the complete mitogenome sequence of the bird-like noctule (Nyctalus aviator) by Illumina next-generation sequencing. The sequences obtained were used to reconstruct a phylogenic tree of Vespertilionidae to elucidate the phylogenetic relationship among its members. The mitogenome of N. aviator is 16,863-bp long with a typical vertebrate gene arrangement, consisting of 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 22 transfer RNA genes, 2 ribosomal RNA genes, and 1 putative control region. Overall, the nucleotide composition is as follows: 32.3% A, 24.2% C, 14.3% G, and 29.2% T, with a slight AT bias (61.5%). The base composition of the 13 PCGs is as follows: 30.3% A, 13.4% G, 31.0% T, and 25.2% C. The phylogenetic analysis, based on 13 concatenated PCG sequences, infers that N. aviator is closely related to N. noctula with a high bootstrap value (100%).

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.43 no.1
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• pp.86-95
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• 2020

The red-crowned crane (Grus japonensis) is an endangered, large-bodied crane native to East Asia. It is a traditional symbol of longevity and its long lifespan has been confirmed both in captivity and in the wild. Lifespan in birds is known to be positively correlated with body size and negatively correlated with metabolic rate, though the genetic mechanisms for the red-crowned crane's long lifespan have not previously been investigated. Using whole genome sequencing and comparative evolutionary analyses against the grey-crowned crane and other avian genomes, including the long-lived common ostrich, we identified redcrowned crane candidate genes with known associations with longevity. Among these are positively selected genes in metabolism and immunity pathways (NDUFA5, NDUFA8, NUDT12, SOD3, CTH, RPA1, PHAX, HNMT, HS2ST1, PPCDC, PSTK CD8B, GP9, IL-9R, and PTPRC). Our analyses provide genetic evidence for low metabolic rate and longevity, accompanied by possible convergent adaptation signatures among distantly related large and long-lived birds. Finally, we identified low genetic diversity in the red-crowned crane, consistent with its listing as an endangered species, and this genome should provide a useful genetic resource for future conservation studies of this rare and iconic species.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• v.50
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• pp.34-44
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• 2023

The tetraploid Solanum hjertingii, a wild tuber-bearing species from Mexico is a relative of potato, S. tuberosum. The species has been identified as a potential source of resistance to blackening for potato breeding. It does not exhibit enzymatic browning nor blackspot which are physiological disorders. However, due to their sexual incompatibility, somatic hybridization between S. hjertingii and S. tuberosum must be used to introduce various traits from this wild species into potato. After somatic hybridization, molecular markers are essential for selecting fusion products. In this study, the chloroplast genome of S. hjertingii was sequenced by next-generation sequencing technology and compared with those of other Solanum species to develop specific markers for S. hjertingii. The chloroplast genome has a total sequence length of 155,545 bp, and its size, gene content, order and orientation are similar to those of the other Solanum species. Phylogenic analysis including 15 other Solanaceae species grouped S. hjertingii with S. demissum, S. hougasii, and S. stoloniferum. After detailed comparisons of the chloroplast genome sequence with eight other Solanum species, we identified one InDel and seven SNPs specific to S. hjertingii. Based on these, five PCR-based markers were developed for discriminating S. hjertingii from other Solanum species. The results obtained in this study will aid in exploring the evolutionary aspects of Solanum species and accelerating breeding using S. hjertingii.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.360-372
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• 2020

Objective: Specific genomic sites can be recognized and permanently modified by genome editing. The discovery of endonucleases has advanced genome editing in pigs, attenuating xenograft rejection and cross-species disease transmission. However, off-target mutagenesis caused by these nucleases is a major barrier to putative clinical applications. Furthermore, off-target mutagenesis by genome editing has not yet been addressed in pigs. Methods: Here, we generated genetically inheritable α-1,3-galactosyltransferase (GGTA1) knockout Yucatan miniature pigs by combining transcription activator-like effector nuclease (TALEN) and nuclear transfer. For precise estimation of genomic mutations induced by TALEN in GGTA1 knockout pigs, we obtained the whole-genome sequence of the donor cells for use as an internal control genome. Results: In-depth whole-genome sequencing analysis demonstrated that TALEN-mediated GGTA1 knockout pigs had a comparable mutation rate to homologous recombination-treated pigs and wild-type strain controls. RNA sequencing analysis associated with genomic mutations revealed that TALEN-induced off-target mutations had no discernable effect on RNA transcript abundance. Conclusion: Therefore, TALEN appears to be a precise and safe tool for generating genomeedited pigs, and the TALEN-mediated GGTA1 knockout Yucatan miniature pigs produced in this study can serve as a safe and effective organ and tissue resource for clinical applications.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.52 no.5
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• pp.513-520
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• 2014

Three echinostome species, i.e., Patagifer bilobus, Petasiger neocomense, and Saakotrema metatestis, are newly recorded in the trematode fauna of the Republic of Korea. They were recovered from 3 species of migratory birds (Platalea minor, Podiceps cristatus, and Egretta garzetta), which were donated by the Wildlife Center of Chungbuk (WCC) and the Conservation Genome Resource Bank for Korean Wildlife (CGRB). Only 1 P. bilobus specimen was recovered from the intestine of a black-faced spoonbill (P. minor), and characterized by the bilobed head crown with a deep dorsal incision and 54 collar spines. Twenty P. neocomense were recovered from the intestine of a great crested grebe (P. cristatus), and they had a well-developed head crown with 19 spines and 2 testes obliquely located at the posterior middle of the body. Total 70 S. metatestis were collected from the bursa of Fabricius of 1 little egret (E. garzetta). It is characterized by stout tegumental spines covered in the entire leaf-shaped body, posterior extension of the uterus, presence of the uroproct and a well-developed head crown with 12 pairs of collar spines on each side. By the present study, these 3 echinostome species are newly added to the trematode fauna in Korea.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• v.47 no.2
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• pp.141-149
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• 2020

Solanum hougasii, one of the wild Solanum species, has been widely used in potato breeding since it exhibits excellent resistance to diverse important pathogens. S. hougasii can be directly crossed with the cultivated tetraploid potato (S. tuberosum) owing to its EBN (Endosperm Balanced Number) value of 4, which is same as that of S. tuberosum although it is an allohexaploid. In this study, the complete chloroplast genome sequence of S. hougasii was obtained by next-generation sequencing technology, and compared with that of the chloroplast genome of seven other Solanum species to identify S. hougasii-specific PCR markers. The length of the complete chloroplast genome of S. hougasii was 155,549 bp. The structural organization of the chloroplast genome in S. hougasii was found to be similar to that of seven other Solanum species studied. Phylogenetic analysis of S. hougasii with ten other Solanaceae family members revealed that S. hougasii was most closely related to S. stoloniferum, followed by S. berthaultii, and S. tuberosum. Additional comparison of the chloroplast genome sequence with that of five other Solanum species revealed five InDels and 43 SNPs specific to S. hougasii. Based on these SNPs, four PCR-based markers were developed for the differentiation of S. hougasii from other Solanum species. The results obtained in this study will aid in exploring the evolutionary and breeding aspects of Solanum species.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• v.47 no.2
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• pp.131-140
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• 2020

Solanum stoloniferum, one of the wild tetraploid Solanum species belonging to the Solanaceae family, is an excellent resource for potato breeding owing to its resistance to several important pathogens. However, the sexual hybridization of S. stoloniferum with S. tuberosum (potato) is hampered due to the sexual incompatibility between the two species. To overcome this and introgress the various novel traits of S. stoloniferum in cultivated potatoes, cell fusion can be performed. The identification of the fusion products is crucial and can be achieved with the aid of molecular markers. In this study, the chloroplast genome sequence of S. stoloniferum was obtained by next-generation sequencing technology, and compared with that of six other Solanum species to identify S. stoloniferum-specific molecular markers. The length of the complete chloroplast genome of S. stoloniferum was found to be 155,567 bp. The structural organization of the chloroplast genome of S. stoloniferum was similar to that of the six other Solanum species studied. Phylogenetic analysis of S. stoloniferum with nine other Solanaceae family members revealed that S. stoloniferum was most closely related to S. berthaultii. Additional comparison of the complete chloroplast genome sequence of S. stoloniferum with that of five Solanum species revealed the presence of six InDels and 39 SNPs specific to S. stoloniferum. Based on these InDels and SNPs, four PCR-based markers were developed to differentiate S. stoloniferum from other Solanum species. These markers will facilitate the selection of fusion products and accelerate potato breeding using S. stoloniferum.

• Animal Systematics, Evolution and Diversity
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.136-143
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• 2013

The collared scops owl that occurs in Korea is a protected species but its exact specific status has been questioned. To resolve the species status, a molecular phylogenetic analysis was conducted using two fragments of mitochondrial DNA, cytochrome b (cyt b, 891 bp) and NADH dehydrogenase subunit 2 (ND2, 627 bp) genes. Phylogenetic trees of cyt b revealed that all Korean specimens formed a monophyletic group with Japanese scops owl Otus semitorques with very low sequence divergence (d=0.008). We obtained a similar ND2 tree as well (d=0.003); however, the genetic distance between Korean individuals and O. lempiji from GenBank (AJ004026-7, EU348987, and EU601036) was very high and sufficient enough to separate them as species (cyt b, d=0.118; ND2, d=0.113). We also found that Korean species showed high differentiation from O. bakkamoena (AJ004018-20 and EU601034; cyt b, d=0.106; ND2, d=0.113) and O. lettia (EU601109 and EU601033, cyt b, d=0.110; ND2, d=0.117) as well. Therefore, we suggest that the Korean collared scops owl should be designated as Otus semitorques.