• Animal cells and systems
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.99-104
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• 2007

RNA interference (RNAi) is the phenomenon of gene silencing by double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) at transcriptional and post-transcriptional levels in a sequence-specific manner. Reverse genetic approaches using RNA interference (RNAi) have become a major tool for biological researches since its discovery in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. In this review, we overview how the RNAi phenomenon was discovered and how the underlying mechanism has been elucidated. We also describe and discuss how RNAi experiments can be performed and how RNAi can be used for genetic studies.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.41 no.11
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• pp.943-952
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• 2018

The discovery and mechanistic understanding of target-specific genome engineering technologies has led to extremely effective and specific genome editing in higher organisms. Target-specific genetic modification technology is expected to have a leading position in future gene therapy development, and has a ripple effect on various basic and applied studies. However, several problems remain and hinder efficient and specific editing of target genomic loci. The issues are particularly critical in precise targeted insertion of external DNA sequences into genomes. Here, we discuss some recent efforts to overcome such problems and present a perspective of future genome editing technologies.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Toxicology Conference
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• 2003.05a
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• pp.48-49
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• 2003

Toxicogenomics is a term that represents the merging of toxicology with novel genomics techniques. Microarray, which provides a revolutionary basis to perform global gene expression analyses and to decode biological pathways, has begun to have a major impact on many different fields of drug discovery and development. (omitted)

• BMB Reports
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• v.44 no.5
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• pp.347-351
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• 2011

The testis is major male gonad responsible for spermatogenesis and steroidogenesis. Much knowledge is still remained to be learned about the control of these events. In this study, we performed a comprehensive bioinformatics analysis on 1,196 mouse testis proteins screened from public protein database. Integrated function and pathway analysis were performed through Database for Annotation, Visualization and Integrated Discovery (DAVID) and ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA), and significant features were clustered. Protein membrane organization and gene density on chromosomes were analyzed and discussed. The enriched bioinformatics analysis could provide clues and basis to the development of diagnostic markers and therapeutic targets for infertility and male contraception.

• BMB Reports
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• v.53 no.7
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• pp.341-348
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• 2020

The targeted nuclease clustered, regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats/CRISPR-associated proteins (CRISPR/Cas) system has recently emerged as a prominent gene manipulation method. Because of its ease in programming targeted DNA/protein binding through RNA in a vast range of organisms, this prokaryotic defense system is a versatile tool with many applications in the research field as well as high potential in agricultural and clinical improvements. This review will present a brief history that led to its discovery and adaptation. We also present some of its restrictions, and modifications that have been performed to overcome such restrictions, focusing specifically on the most common CRISPR/Cas9 mediated non-homologous end joint repair.

• BMB Reports
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• v.42 no.3
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• pp.131-135
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• 2009

MicroRNAs control gene expression by inhibiting translation or promoting degradation of their target mRNAs. Since the discovery of the first microRNAs, lin-4 and let-7, in C. elegans, hundreds of microRNAs have been identified as key regulators of cell fate determination, lifespan, and cancer in species ranging from plants to humans. However, while microRNAs have been shown to be particularly abundant in the brain, their role in the development and activity of the nervous system is still largely unknown. In this review, we describe recent advances in our understanding of microRNA function at synapses, the specialized structures required for communication between neurons and their targets. We also propose how these advances might inform the molecular model of memory.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.239-244
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• 2011

Immediate-type hypersensitivity is involved in many allergic diseases such as asthma, allergic rhinitis and anaphylaxis. The discovery of drugs for the treatment of allergic disease is an important subject in human health. Stimulation of mast cells releases inflammatory mediators, such as histamine and pro-inflammatory cytokines with immune regulatory properties. We investigated the effect of the aqueous extract of Schizonepeta tenuifolia (AEST) (Labiatae) on the immediate-type allergic reaction. AEST inhibited compound 48/80-induced systemic allergic reaction. AEST attenuated immunoglobulin E (IgE)-mediated skin allergic reaction and histamine release from human mast cell line (HMC-1) cells. In addition, AEST decreased the gene expression and secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines in phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) plus calcium ionophore A23187 (A23187)-stimulated HMC-1 cells. Our results indicate that AEST inhibits the mast cell-derived allergic reactions and involvement of histamine and pro-inflammatory cytokines in these effects.

• Animal Systematics, Evolution and Diversity
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.184-187
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• 2013

Korean species of the genus Elampus Spinola is taxonomically reviewed. Korean fauna of the genus Elampus was known by one sepcies, Elampus bidens (F$\ddot{o}$rster). This study reports new discover of another Korean species E. musashinus (Tsuneki). This species was described based on male, and the female has been still unknown. With comparison of partial mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase I gene sequences, the sex-association of this species is established, the Korean specimens of both sexes completely identical in their sequences targeted. Herein the female description of E. musashinus is presented for the first time. A key to the Korean species, as well as diagnosis and digital images are provided.

• Journal of Aquaculture
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.130-132
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• 2005

Genomics research has two ultimate applied goals: to Isolate and clone genes of economic importance for bio-technology and gene-assisted selection (GAS), and to locate and use markers for marker-assisted selection (MAS) in selective breeding programs. To this end, we have identified linked markers for feed conversion efficiency growth rate, and disease resistance to enteric septicemia of catfish (ESC). Three microsatellite markers Ip266, Ip384, and Ip607 were identified to be linked to feed conversion efficiency. Similarly one marker each was identified to be linked to growth rate (Ip607) and disease resistance to ESC (Ip477). Ip607 marker linked to both growth rate and feed conversion efficiency, indicating that the QTL for both growth rate and feed conversion efficiency may either be the same or located in the same chromosomal region in the catfish genome. On phenotypic evaluation, certain traits such as growth rate can be accurately evaluated by body weight evaluation while other traits such as disease resistance can be quite complex. The linked DNA markers will be highly useful for MAS programs and for directing further efforts of genomic mapping for important quantitative traits.

• Mycobiology
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• v.48 no.4
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• pp.245-251
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• 2020

During a survey of putative fungal pathogens infecting oak trees in the Gangwon Province of the Republic of Korea, a fungus resembling a Ceratocystis sp. was repeatedly isolated from natural wounds on Quercus variabilis. Morphological comparisons and DNA sequence comparisons based on partial β-tubulin and TEF-1α gene regions showed that the fungus resided in a distinct lineage. This novel Ceratocystis species is described here as C. quercicola sp. nov. This is the first novel species of Ceratocystis to be reported from Korea. A pathogenicity test showed that it can cause lesions on inoculated trees but that it had a very low level of aggressiveness. The discovery of this fungus suggests that additional taxa residing in Ceratocystis are likely to be discovered in Korea in the future.