• Journal of Life Science
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• v.15 no.6 s.73
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• pp.879-883
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• 2005

This study was differentiated between Korea and China arkshells using PCR-aided RFLP method which could identify the variation for inter-and intra-species of arkshell (Scapharca broughtonii Schrenck) at the level of DNA. The DNA fragment patterns were compared after digesting gene of mitochondrial 16S rDNA with 8 kinds of restriction enzymes. A 720 bp DNA fragment corresponding to 16S rDNA gene was amplified by PCR with primers ArkF-3 and ArkR-3. PCR products were cut by restriction enzymes (Pvull, BamHI, Hinfl, HaeIII, EcoRI, RsaI, Ksp221, and BstX21), and RFLP pattern was studied. A unique 275 bp DNA band was observed in the samples from Dukyang, Gamak, Namhae, Jinhae, and Taean in Korea when treated by Hinfl, but Chinese arkshell did not show. Treatment of HaeIII could discriminate the sample of Namhae and Jinhae from Dukyang/Gamak/Taean, as well as Korean and Chinese arkshell based on a 700 bp. However, PuvII, BamHI, EcoRI, RsaI, Ksp221, and BstX21 showed the same of 700 bp band in Korean and Chinese arkshell. The phylogenetic tree inferred from PCR-RFLP pattern comparsion in Korean arkshell was different that the distance between Dukyang/Gamak/Taean and Namhae/Jinhae was approximately 7. In particular, the distance between Korean and Chinese arkshell was 25. Consequently, HinfI and HaeIII played an important role in a reliable molecular tool for rapid discriminating Korean and Chinese arkshell, as well as a intra-species in Korea.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.352-358
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• 2018

This study aimed to develop a species identification method for the egg and fry of the three Korean bitterling fishes (Pisces: Acheilognathinae), including Acheilognathus signifer, Acheilognathus yamatsutae and Rhodeus uyekii based on the PCR-based Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (RFLP) markers. We conducted a field survey on the Deokchicheon River from the North Han River basin, where the three Acheilognathinae species co-occur, and also analyzed the existing sequence dataset available from the GenBank. We found coexistence of the three species at the study site. The egg and fry were obtained from the host mussels (Unio douglasiae sinuolatus) by hand from May to June 2015 and in May 2017. To develop PCR-based RFLP markers for species identification of the three Acheilognathinae fish species, restriction enzymes pinpointing species-specific single nucleotide variation (SNV) sites in mitochondrial DNA COI (cytochrome oxidase I) and cyt b (cytochrome b) genes were determined. Genomic DNA was extracted from the egg and fry and RFLP experiments were carried out using restriction enzymes Apal I, Stu I and EcoR V for A. signifer, A. yamatsutae and R. uyekii, respectively. Consequently, unambiguous discrimination of the three species was possible, as could be seen in DNA band patterns from gel electrophoresis. Our developed PCR-based RFLP markers will be useful for the determination of the three species for the young and would assist in studying the spawning patterns and reproductive ecology of Acheilognathinae fishes. Furthermore, we believe the obtained information will be of importance for future maintenance, management and conservation of these natural and endangered species.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.49 no.3
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• pp.391-402
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• 2021

Earthworms play an important role in soil fertilization, interacting continually with microorganisms. This study aims to demonstrate the existence of beneficial microorganisms living in the earthworm's immune system, the coelomic fluid. To achieve this goal, a molecular identification technique was performed, using cytochrome c oxidase I (COI) barcoding to identify abundant endogenic earthworms inhabiting the temperate zone of Rabat, Morocco. Then, 16S rDNA and ITS sequencing techniques were adopted for bacteria and fungi, respectively. Biochemical analysis, showed the ability of bacteria to produce characteristic enzymes and utilize substrates. Qualitative screening of plant growth-promoting traits, including nitrogen fixation, phosphate and potassium solubilization, and indole acetic acid (IAA) production, was also performed. The result of mitochondrial COI barcoding allowed the identification of the earthworm species Aporrectodea molleri. Phenotypic and genotypic studies of the sixteen isolated bacteria and the two isolated fungi showed that they belong to the Pseudomonas, Aeromonas, Bacillus, Buttiauxella, Enterobacter, Pantoea, and Raoultella, and the Penicillium genera, respectively. Most of the isolated bacteria in the coelomic fluid showed the ability to produce β-glucosidase, β-glucosaminidase, Glutamyl-β-naphthylamidase, and aminopeptidase enzymes, utilizing substrates like aliphatic thiol, sorbitol, and fatty acid ester. Furthermore, three bacteria were able to fix nitrogen, solubilize phosphate and potassium, and produce IAA. This initial study demonstrated that despite the immune property of earthworms' coelomic fluid, it harbors beneficial microorganisms. Thus, the presence of resistant microorganisms in the earthworm's immune system highlights a possible selection process at the coelomic fluid level.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.5
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• pp.2061-2068
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• 2015

Background: Tumors are largely unable to metabolize ketone bodies for energy due to various deficiencies in one or both of the key mitochondrial enzymes, which may provide a rationale for therapeutic strategies that inhibit tumor growth by administration of a ketogenic diet with average protein but low in carbohydrates and high in fat. Materials and Methods: Thirty-six male BALB/C nude mice were injected subcutaneously with tumor cells of the colon cancer cell line HCT116. The animals were then randomly split into three feeding groups and fed either a ketogenic diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids and MCT (MKD group; n=12) or lard only (LKD group; n=12) or a standard diet (SD group; n=12) ad libitum. Experiments were ended upon attainment of the target tumor volume of $600mm^3$ to $700mm^3$. The three diets were compared for tumor growth and survival time (interval between tumor cell injection and attainment of target tumor volume). Results: The tumor growth in the MKD and LKD groups was significantly delayed compared to that in the SD group. Conclusions: Application of an unrestricted ketogenic diet delayed tumor growth in a mouse xenograft model. Further studies are needed to address the mechanism of this diet intervention and the impact on other tumor-relevant parameters such as invasion and metastasis.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.96-102
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• 2008

Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn.(family Nymphaeaceae) has been used for summer heat syndrome as home remedy in Japan, China and Korea. Although whole plant parts are edible, root is commonly consumed. It has been reported that rhizome extract showed anti-diabetic and anti-inflammatory effects. However, in spite of usefulness for treatment of various diseases, the effect of Nelumbo nucifera rhizome(NNR) on proliferation, migration and matrix degrading enzymes-matrix metalloproteinsases(MMPs), the expression of which degrades extracellular matrix(ECM) leading to metastasis, has not been fully elucidated. We examined the effect of hot water extract of NNR on the proliferation, migration and secretion of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in rat smooth muscle cells(rSMC), epidermoid cancer cells(A431) and breast cancer cells(MDA-MB-231). The proliferation assay was carried out using MTT assay, the principle of which depends upon the conversion of MTT by mitochondrial dehydrogensases of viable cells to formazan crystals. The effect of NNR on migration of cells was examined using wound healing assay. Our results showed that there was inhibition in the proliferation, migration and expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in dose dependent fashion in all the cells used. Thus, we concluded that NNR could be used as traditional medicine in the treatment of various diseases where proliferation, migration and MMPs' expression plays a pathological role like in restenosis and metastasis.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.135-140
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• 2011

Genistein is a product of naturally occurring isoflavones at relatively high levels in soybeans. The harmful effects of ethanol are attributed to the induction of biological processes which lead to an increase in the generation of reactive oxygen species in fetuses. In this study, we investigated the effects of genistein ($1{\times}10^{-8}$ and $1{\times}10^{-7}\;{\mu}g$/ml) on gene expressions of the representative cellular antioxidative enzymes in ethanol (1 ${\mu}l$/ml)-treated mouse fetuses during the critical period (embryonic days 8.5~10.5) of organogenesis using a semi-quantitative RT-PCR analysis. The mRNA levels of cytosolic glutathione peroxidase (GPx), phospholipid hydroperoxide GPx, cytosolic CU,Zn-superoxide dismutase (SOD), and mitochondrial SOD were significantly decreased in ethanol-treated fetuses. However, the mRNA levels of ethanol plus genistein-treated fetuses were significantly higher than those of ethanol alone fetuses. These results indicate that genistein can up-regulate the expressions of GPx and SOD mRNAs reduced by the ethanol treatment in fetuses.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.111-119
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• 1988

To elucidate the effects of dimethyl sulfoxide on myocardial and endothelial cells in culture, the cells were exposed to 10% dimethyl sulfoxide in culture medium for 1 hour at 48 hours after cell isolation. The general morphology and the cytochemical reaction of marker enzymes for mitochondria and Golgi complexes were investigated. The results were summarized as follows. : 1. DMSO induced elongation and narrowing of the cells and increase of mitochondrial reaction in myocardial cells. 2. DMSO induced destruction and disruption of myofibrils in myocardial cells resulting in increase of contractile activities. 3. In the endothelial cells, DMSO suppressed proliferative activities but thiamine pyrophosphatase reactions were enhanced indicating increase of Goigi complex activity. 4. DMSO seemed to hamper with the adhesiveness and motility of the endothelial cells causing the decrease of the number of cells in vitro.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.114-122
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• 1993

0.5 mg of natural ginsenoside mixture and 0.8 $\mu$Ci of synthesized 14C-ginsenosides were administered orally to a rat and killed at one hour after the ginsenoside administration and the liver was fractionated into nuclear fraction, mitrochondria microsomes and cytosol fraction. Radioactivity distribu lion in subcellular fractions of the liver showed that 32o1c of total radioactivity absorbed in the liver was in cytosol fraction but a significant portion of the radioactivity was also found in mitochondria (26.6%) and microsomal fraction (18.l%). 5.8% of the total radioactivity was recovered from the nuclear fraction as well. This suggested that ginsenosides might be distributed into all subcellular fractions. Activities of mitochondrial aldehyde dehydrogenase, lactate dehydrogenase and malate dehydrogenase of the liver of rat at two hours after the ginsenoside administraion were found appreciably stimulated, suggesting that the ginsenoside concentration in the liver might be around 10-5%, since optimum concentrations for most enzyme catalyzed reactions in vitro were known to be 10-6% 10-4%. A significant portion of the radioactivity recovered from subcellular fractions of the liver was found in protein fractions, suggesting that proteins might interact with ginsenosides. Examination of protein-ginsenoside interation by gel filtration, equilibrium dialysis and amonium sulfate precipitation technique suggesting that proteins and ginsenosides do not bound covalently but weakl\ulcorner combined. When purified ginsenoside Rbl and Rgl were incubated with rat liver cytosolic enzymes for 20 min, the above ginsenosides were hydrolyzed quickly, suggesting that ginsenosides might be rapidly hydrolyzed and metabolized in the liver. It was also observed in vitro that the ginsenosides such as Rbl and Rgl were easily hydrolyzed by rat liver cytosol preparation suggesting that absorbed ginsenosides might be quickly hydrolyzed and metabolized in the liver.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.44-58
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• 2020

Objectives: This study was conducted to identify the protective effects of Chongmyunggongjin-dan (CMGJD) on Hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂)-induced apoptosis mechanisms in C6 glial cells. Method: We used CMGJD after distilled water extraction, filtration, and lyophilization. The ROS scavenging effect was examined by fluorescence microscopy. Expression levels of proteins related to ROS generation were investigated by western blotting. Functional changes in organelles related to Reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation were investigated by immunoblotting and by verifying expression level of relevant enzymes. Results: The CMGJD extract protected the cells against H₂O₂-induced morphological changes and DNA fragmentation, inhibited the increase of Heme_oxygenase-1(HO^-1) and the decrease in catalase, protected against the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential, inhibited disturbances of lysosomal function, and induced an increase in peroxisomes. Conclusion: CMGJD was confirmed to have a protective effect on H₂O₂-induced C6 glial cell death possibly by blocking the pathways causing damage to subcellular organelles, such as mitochondria, lysosomes, and peroxisomes. We assume that CMGJD will be effective for the prevention and treatment of ischemic stroke in a clinical environment.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.271-276
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• 1997

We tried to compare the three kinds oi Metagonimur species. M. Wokognulci, Ifetafonimus Miyata type, and M. tnknhashii, which were Know to be distributed in Korea with polymerase chain reaction based-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR- RFLP) patterns. We amplified the internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITSI) site of ribosomal RNA and mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase I (mCOI) gene. The restriction patterns of ITSI gene loth Rsc I, ALu I and Msp I showed multiple fragmented bands of different sizes between three kinds of Metcgonimus. In case of mc01 gene, Rsc I and Alu I enzymes produced differentially fragmented band patterns. According to the parsimony analysis of PCR-RFLP patterns, the estimated genetic divergence between M Wokognwai and Metasoninus Miyata type was 0.034880, between Metusoninus Miyata type and M. tckc- hushii was 0.028098, between M. wokogawai and M. tnkahashii was 0.018179. It is suggested that Metasonimus Miyata type may be separate species and evolutionize at the older time than the other two species.