• Development and Reproduction
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.19-29
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• 2012

The ultrastructural characteristics of germ cell differentiations during spermatogenesis and mature sperm morphology in male $Atrina$ ($Servatrina$) $pectinata$ were evaluated via transmission electron microscopic observation. The accessory cells, which contained a large quantity of glycogen particles and lipid droplets in the cytoplasm, are assumed to be involved in nutrient supply for germ cell development. Morphologically, the sperm nucleus and acrosome of this species are ovoid and conical in shape, respectively. The acrosomal vesicle, which is formed by two kinds of electron-dense or lucent materials, appears from the base to the tip: a thick and slender elliptical line, which is composed of electron-dense opaque material, appears along the outer part (region) of the acrosomal vesicle from the base to the tip, whereas the inner part (region) of the acrosomal vesicle is composed of electron-lucent material in the acrosomal vesicle. Two special characteristics, which are found in the acrosomal vesicle of A. ($S$) $pectinata$ in Pinnidae (subclass Pteriomorphia), can be employed for phylogenetic and taxonomic analyses as a taxonomic key or a significant tool. The spermatozoa were approximately $45-50{\mu}m$ in length, including a sperm nucleus (about $1.43{\mu}m$ in length), an acrosome (about $0.51{\mu}m$ in length), and a tail flagellum (about $46-47{\mu}m$). The axoneme of the sperm tail evidences a 9+2 structure.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.91-99
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• 2001

The antennal sensilla of the adult male and female ladybird beetle, Harmonia axyridis (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) were examined by scanning electron microscopy. Nine types of sensilla were characterized and grouped into 5 morphological classes: $B\ddot{o}hm$, basiconic, chetiform, coeloconlc, and trichoid sensilla. $B\ddot{o}hm$ sensilla were localized on the scape and pedicel, part of the ventral and dorsal proximal side. This placement suggests a role in proportion of antennal position and movement. Basiconic and chetiform sensilla were divided into 3 subtypes by morphology and length differences. Trichoid sensilla are confined to the last 2 flagellum segments on both sexes. Sexual dimorphism of antennal sensilla is limited to the three types of difference. The principal characteristics of this dimorphism are the following: a) The distribution of sensilla was differ from male and female in antennae. b) Males exhibit coeloconic sensilla not present in females; c) Females posses more trichoid sensilla than males. The possible role of specific dilference of the sensilla in intersexual communication is discussed.

• The Korean Journal of Malacology
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.55-65
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• 2011

Some characteristics of germ cell differntiations during spermiogenesis and mature sperm ultrastructure in male Phacosoma japonicus were investigated by transmission electron microscope observations. The morphology of the spermatozoon of this species has a primitive type and is similar to those of other species in the subclass Heterodonta. Morphologies of the sperm nucleus and the acrosome of this species are the cylindrical type and cap shape, respectively. The spermatozoon is approximately 45-50 ${\mu}m$ in length, including a long curved sperm nucleus (about $3.70{\mu}m$ long with 45 $^{\circ}$ of the angle of the nucleus, an acrosome (about $0.55{\mu}m$ in length), and tail flagellum (about 42-$47{\mu}m$)The axoneme of the sperm tail shows a 9+2 structure. As some characteristics of the acrosomal vesicle structures, the basal and lateral parts of basal rings show electron opaque part (region), while the anterior apex part of the acrosomal vesicle shows electron lucent part (region). These characteristics of the acrosomal vesicle were found in the family Veneridae and other several families in the subclass Heterodonta. These common characteristics of the acrosomal vesicle in the subclass Heterodonta can be used for phylogenetic and systematic analysis as a taxonomic key or a significant tool. The number of mitochondria in the sperm midpiece of this species are four, as one of common characteristics appear in most species in the family Veneridae and other families in the subclass Heterodonta. However, exceptionally, only three species in Veneridae of the subclass Heterodonta contain 5 mitochondria. The number of mitochondria in the sperm midpiece can be used for the taxonomic analysis of the family or superfamily levels as a systematic key or tools.

• The Korean Journal of Malacology
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.165-174
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• 2012

The morphology and taxonomic values of the sperm in male Chlamys (Swiftopecten) swiftii were investigated by transmission electron microscope observations. The morphologies and ultrastructures of the sperm nucleus and the acrosome of this species are the vase type and long cone shape, respectively. Spermatozoa are approximately $45-50{\mu}m$ long including a sperm nucleus (approximately $2.60{\mu}m$ long), an acrosome (about $0.63{\mu}m$ long), and a tail flagellum (approximately $44-47{\mu}m$ in long). The axoneme of the sperm tail shows a 9+2 structure. In this study, the right and left basal rings in the acrosomal vesicle of this species show electron opaque part (region), and also the anterior apex part of the acrosomal vesicle shows electron opaque part (region). These characteristics of the acrosomal vesicle were found in Pectinidae and other several families in subclass Pteriomorphia. The number of mitochondria in the midpiece of the sperm of this species are four, as one of common characteristics appear in most species in Pectinidae in subclass Pteriomorphia. In addition, the satellite fibres are found near the distal centriole of this species, as have been reported in other species of Pectinidae in subclass Pteriomorphia. Accordingly, structutral characteristics which are found in the acrosomal vesicle, four mitochondria in the sperm midpiece and the appearance of the satellite fibers near the distal centriole of C. (S.) swiftii in Pectinidae (subclass Pteriomorphia), can be employed for phylogenetic and taxonomic analyses as taxonomic key or a significant tool.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.63-69
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• 1989

A pink-pigmented facultative methylotrophic bacterium, Methylobacterium sp. strain SY1, was isolated from soil through methanol-enrichment culture technique. The isolate was gram-negative, slightly curved rod, and motile by a single polarly inserted flagellum. The colony was smooth, bright pink, and slimy. The guanine plus cytosine content of the KNA was 66%. The cell was obigately aerobic and exhibited both catalase and oxidase activities. Carotenoid pigment and poly-$\beta$-hydroxybutyrate were present. It was found to have three kinds of plasmid with molecular weights 45,000, 38,500 and 23,000. Growth with methanol(0.5%) was fast ($t_{d}$=6.5h) and was optimal at $30^{\circ}C$ and at pH 7.0. The isolate could grow on several sugars, organic acids, amino acids, amines, and alcohols in addition to the methanol. Methanol was found to be assimilated through the serine pathway.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.399-404
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• 2010

A hydrogen-producing bacterium (strain ES392) was isolated from pond water located in the Dong-Eui University, Busan, Korea. The cell was long-rod type ($1.4\;{\mu}m$) of about ($0.6\;{\mu}m$) in diameter, and not formed flagellum and spore. Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA sequence and biochemical studies indicated that ES392 belonged to the genus Enterobacter sp. The optimum pH and temperature for hydrogen production was 7.5 and $35^{\circ}C$, respectively. The optimization of medium compositions which maximize hydrogen production from Enterobacter sp. ES392 was determined. As a result, the maximum hydrogen production was obtained under the conditions of 4% (w/v) sucrose, 0.5% (w/v) yeast extract and 50 mM potassium phosphate buffer (pH 7.5). Under batch culture conditions, the maximal hydrogen production and yield were obtained as 3481 mL/L and 1.33 mol/mol sucrose, respectively.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.20 no.10
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• pp.1386-1392
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• 2010

A bacterial strain designated GR5$^T$, previously isolated from a freshwater culture pond in Taiwan while screening for bacteria for antimicrobial compounds, was characterized using a polyphasic taxonomic approach. Strain GR5$^T$ was found to be Gram-negative, aerobic, greenish-yellow colored, rod-shaped, and motile by means of a single polar flagellum. Growth occurred at $10-40^{\circ}C$ (optimum, $35^{\circ}C$), pH 7.0-8.0 (optimum pH 8.0), and with 0-2.0% NaCl (optimum, 0.5-1.0%). The major fatty acids were $C_{16:1}{\omega}7c$(36.3%), $C_{16:0}$(16.6%), $C_{12:0}$ 3-OH (12.5%), and $C_{18:1}{\omega}7c$(9.1%). The major respiratory quinone was Q-8, and the DNA G+C content of the genomic DNA was 51.9 mol%. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain GR5$^T$ belongs to the genus Rheinheimera, where its most closely related neighbors are Rheinheimera texasensis A62-14B$^T$ and Rheinheimera tangshanensis JA3-B52$^T$ with sequence similarities of 98.1% and 97.5%, respectively, and the sequence similarities to any other recognized species within Gammaproteobacteria are less than 96.5%. The mean level of DNA-DNA relatedness between strain GR5$^T$ and R. texasensis A62-14B$^T$, the strain most closely related to the isolate, was $26.5{\pm}7.6%$. Therefore, based on the phylogenetic and phenotypic data, strain GR5$^T$ should be classified as a novel species, for which the name Rheinheimera aquatica sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is GR5$^T$ (=BCRC 80081$^T$=LMG 25379$^T$).

• Korean Journal of Ichthyology
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.7-12
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• 2008

Study on spermatid and spermatozoon of a Korean endemic freshwater fish, Microphysogobio yaluensis, has been carried out by transmission electron microscope. Spermiogenesis involves conspicuous modifications intercelluar movement such as centrioles and mitochondria migration, nuclear depression and structural changes for instance chroatin condensation, excess of cytoplasm. The mature spermatozoa are similar to those of other cyprinids as follows: a spherical nucleus with a shallow nuclear fossa, a short midpiece containing several mitochondria and encircling the basal body of the flagellum. However there are some differences in the orientation of the centrioles,the number of the mitochondria and distribution of vesicles from other cyprinids. It could be concluded that the M. yaluensis spermiogenesis belongs to type 2, and its mature spermatozoon is charaterized by a unique feature which may provide a useful systematic character.

• The Korean Journal of Malacology
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.55-64
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• 2012

Ultrastructural studies of germ cell development during spermatogenesis and taxonomic values in mature sperm morphology of Argopecten irradians irradians were investigated by transmission electron microscopic observations. In the early stage of spermatid during spermiogenesis, a few granules and proacrosomal granules are formed by the Golgi complex. In the late stage of spermatid during spermiogenesis, a proacrosomal vesicle becomes an acrosomal vesicle in the acrosome through spermiogenesis. The sperm is approximately $ 45-48{\mu}m$ in length including a jar-shaped sperm nucleus (about $1.45{\mu}m$ long), an acrosome (about $0.34{\mu}m$ long) and tail flagellum. The axoneme of the sperm tail shows a 9+2 structure. As one of common characteristics of mature sperm morphologies in Pectinidae species in subclass Pteriomorphia, mature spermatozoon consists of the cone-shaped acrosomal vesicle and subacrosomal material on the invaginated jar-shaped nucleus. The acrosomal vesicle of this species is composed of electron high dense opaque part (material) from the base to the tip, as have seen in the species in the subclass Pteriomorphia. Exceptionally, five mitochondria are found in the sperm midpiece of this species, unlike four in most species of Pectinidae in subclass Pteriomorphia. However, the acrosomal vesicle of spermatozoa of A. irradians irradians resemble to those of other investigated Pectinidae species in subclass Pteriomorphia. Therefore, we can use sperm morphology as a tool in the resolution of taxonomic relationships within the Pectinidae species. These morphological charateristics of acrosomal vesicle belong to the family Pectinidae in the subclass Pteriomorphia.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.251-263
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• 2020

Flagellin, a major structural protein of the flagellum found in all motile bacteria, activates the TLR5- or NLRC4 inflammasome-dependent signaling pathway to induce innate immune responses. Flagellin can also serve as a specific antigen for the adaptive immune system and stimulate anti-flagellin antibody responses. Failure to recognize commensal-derived flagellin in TLR5-deficient mice leads to the reduction in anti-flagellin IgA antibodies at steady state and causes microbial dysbiosis and mucosal barrier breach by flagellated bacteria to promote chronic intestinal inflammation. Despite the important role of anti-flagellin antibodies in maintaining the intestinal homeostasis, regulatory mechanisms underlying the flagellin-specific antibody responses are not well understood. In this study, we show that flagellin induces interferon-β (IFN-β) production and subsequently activates type I IFN receptor signaling in a TLR5- and MyD88-dependent manner in vitro and in vivo. Internalization of TLR5 from the plasma membrane to the acidic environment of endolysosomes was required for the production of IFN-β, but not for other pro-inflammatory cytokines. In addition, we found that anti-flagellin IgG2c and IgA responses were severely impaired in interferon-alpha receptor 1 (IFNAR1)-deficient mice, suggesting that IFN-β produced by the flagellin stimulation regulates anti-flagellin antibody class switching. Our findings shed a new light on the regulation of flagellin-mediated immune activation and may help find new strategies to promote the intestinal health and develop mucosal vaccines.