• Animal cells and systems
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.269-277
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• 2008

Siberian flying squirrel, an endangered species in South Korea, is distributed through major mountain regions of South Korea. The number of Siberian flying squirrel(Pteromys volans) in South Korea has decreased and their habitats are fragmented and isolated because of anthropogenic activities. So far no molecular genetic data has, however, been available for their conservation and management. To obtain better information concerning genetic diversity and phylogenetic relationships of the Siberian flying squirrel in South Korea, we examined 14 individuals from South Korea, 7 individuals from Russia, and 5 individuals from northeastern China along with previously published 29 haplotypes for 1,140 bp of the mtDNA cytochrome b gene. The 14 new individuals from South Korea had 7 haplotypes which were not observed in the regions of Russia and Hokkaido. The level of genetic diversity(0.616%) in the South Korean population was lower than that in eastern Russia(0.950%). The geographical distribution of mtDNA haplotypes and reduced median network confirmed that there are three major lineages of Siberian flying squirrel, occupying; Far Eastern, northern Eurasia, and the island of Hokkaido. The South Korean population only slightly distinct from the Eurasia, and eastern Russian population, and is part of the lineage Far Eastern. Based on these, we suggest that the South Korean population could be considered to belong to one partial ESU(Far Eastern) of three partial ESUs but a different management unit. However, the conservation priorities should be reconfirmed by nuclear genetic marker and ecological data.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.23 no.7
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• pp.904-912
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• 2013

This study aimed to evaluate the protective effect of cordycepin-increased Cordyceps militaris strain on carbon tetrachloride ($CCl_4$)-induced hepatotoxicity and oxidative stress in rats. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into five groups (n=6) based on six dietary categories: normal (N), $CCl_4$ control (C), $CCl_4$ plus Paecilomyces japonica (CPJ) (3%, w/w), $CCl_4$ plus C. militaris (CCM) (3%, w/w), and $CCl_4$ plus cordycepin-increased C. militaris ($CCM{\alpha}$) (3%, w/w). The activities of the liver marker enzymes ALT, AST, and LDH and the levels of lipid peroxidation were increased in the $CCl_4$-treated groups, but these parameters were significantly decreased in the $CCM{\alpha}$ group. The TBARS content in the liver homogenate, microsome, and mitochondrial fractions of the C group was significantly elevated compared with the N group. However, in the $CCl_4$-treated groups, $CCM{\alpha}$ group was significantly lowered in the TBARS levels of hepatic homogenate and microsomal fractions. The C group showed a significant decrease in the levels of plasma and hepatic glutathione, whereas they were significantly increased in the $CCM{\alpha}$ group. Accordingly, cordycepin-increased C. militaris may be an ideal animal model for studying hepatoprotective effects.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.25 no.5
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• pp.658-665
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• 2011

An wild boar species which has been known as an extinct species on Jeju Island, was recently observed in the surrounding areas of Mount Halla. Based on the molecular techniques, this study examines whether they are crossbred with domesticated pig breeds. Intraspecific genetic relationships with other wild boar populations and molecular sexing were examined as well. Total of four molecular markers on mitochondrial DNA(control region and ND2) and nuclear DNA(MC1R and KIT) were applied to test crossbreeding between with domesticated pig breeds, such as Landrace, Large White, Berkshire, Hampshire, and Duroc. All individuals of wild boar population had identical mtDNA control region(CR) sequences. In addition, the sequences were the same as those of some native pig breeds which are distributed in Northeast China, but different from those previously reported from the Korean Peninsula up to date. These results suggest that this population may have originated from a genetic lineage had been not previously studied and genetically related to Chinese native pig breeds. Molecular sexing results show that there are twice as many females as male. Thus the population is under expansion and its size will dynamically increase if not controlled.

• 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.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.57-67
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• 2024

Objectives : The aim of this study is to evaluate the potential biological activity of Veronica incana extracts (VIE) through in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo experiments. Methods : In vitro, we conducted analyses on the total polyphenol (TP) and total flavonoid (TF) levels, alongside DPPHand ABTS radical scavenging activities. Ex vivo evaluations on adipose tissue measured glycerol release as a marker of lipolysis. In LPS-induced RAW 264.7 cells, we quantified nitric oxide (NO) production. Following H₂O₂ induction in U2OS cells, we performed mitochondrial assays such as MitoSox and MitoTracker. Moreover, Bodipy assays were conducted in 3T3-L1 cells. In vivo, we performed anti-osteoarthritis effect of VIE against monosodium iodoacetate (MIA)-induced osteoarthritis in rats. Results : The results presented encompass a myriad of models, from cell culture to animal experiments as well as ex vivo studies. VIE demonstrated high TP and TF contents, potent DPPH and ABTS scavenging activities, and regulated glycerol release. Moreover, the inhibition of NO production in LPS-induced inflammation was notably confirmed and the reduction of lipid droplets was distinctly shown. Furthermore, in H₂O₂-induced U2OS cells, MitoSox was effectively reduced while MitoTracker noticeably increased. In vivo assays confirmed a significant increase in hindpaw weight distribution (HWD) decreased by MIA after VIE treatment. Additionally, VIE inhibited serum inflammatory cytokines (TNF-𝛼, IL-6, and IL-1𝛽) and MDA levels in joint tissue. Conclusion : In conclusion, Veronica incana exhibited various pharmacological effects including antioxidant, anti-obesity, and anti-inflammatory properties.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.181-190
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• 2002

This study was performed to determine sequences of the mt DNA D-loop region, including $tRNA^{Pro}$ and $tRNA^{Pre}$ and to analysis sequence variation polymorphism in Korean cattle. The resulting sequencies were compared with previously published sequences for other cattle breeds(GenBank J01394). The PCR was used to amplify an 1142bp between nucleotides 15061 and 404 within the D-loop region of mt DNA using specific primers. Korean cattle showed 24 polymorphic sites by nucleotide substitutions and insertions of single base pairs. About 50% of polymorphic sites were found in positions 16042 to 16122 with the most variable region. Among these polymorphic sites, variations at 16055, 16230 and 16260 bp were detected as new sequence variants in Korean cattle. These specific polymorphic sites have not been reported in the Japanese black cattle and European cattle. Therefore, mt DNA variants in the D-loop region may be used as genetic markers for specifying Korean cattle. The frequencies of positions 169, 16302, 16093, 16042, 16119 with a high level of sequence polymorphism were 0.81, 0.56, 0.56, 0.50 and 0.43, respectively. In comparison of genetic distances, Korean cattle showed the more closely to European cattle as Bos taurus than Bos indicus such as African and India breeds. In conclusion, these mt DNA sequence polymorphisms in the D-loop region for Korean cattle may be useful for the analysis of cytoplasmic genetic variation and associations with economic important traits and genetic analysis of maternal lineage.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.43-50
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• 2015

In this study, single PCR and multiplex PCR tests were examined for identification of four types of squid species (giant squid, cuttlefish, octopus, beka squid) purchased from fish market as well as aquatic processed products in Busan. To design the specific primers against each species, the nucleotide sequences of the mitochondrial 16s rRNA gene of Architeuthis dux, Todarodes pacificus, Enteroctopus dofleini, Enteroctopus megalocyathus, Uroteuthis chinensis, Uroteuthis duvauceli, Uroteuthis edulis groups were analyzed for the identification of each species registered in the GeneBank (www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov) and have been used for comparative analysis. In order to obtain the size variation of amplified fragments on multiplex PCR, we designed KOJ-F, OJ-F, OCT-F, HAN-F, ALLR primers for each species. The optimal PCR conditions and primers were selected for four types of squid species to determine target base sequences in its PCR products. In the case of single PCR, giant squid was only amplified by KOJ-F/ALLR primer; cuttlefish was only amplified by OJ-F/ALLR primer; octopus was only amplified by OCT-F/ALLR primer; and beka squid was only amplified by HAN-F/ALLR primer. For multiplex PCR, the mixture of four kinds of genomic DNA (giant squid, cuttlefish, octopus, beka squid) been prepared as a template and used together with the mixture of KOJ-F/OJ-F/OCT-F/HAN-F/ALLR primers in the reaction. By the multiplex PCR, it is confirmed that four samples are correspond to multiple simultaneous amplicon. Finally, we validated the established methods of multiplex PCR in the aquatic processed products. Although the mitochondrial 16s rRNA primers used in this study was useful as a marker for detection of each species among them, the study indicated that the established multiplex PCR method can be more useful tool for monitoring the processed products.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.9
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• pp.4517-4525
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• 2016

Background: Sperm DNA damage is underlying aetiology of poor implantation and pregnancy rates but also affects health of offspring and may also result in denovo mutations in germ line and post fertilization. This may result in complex diseases, polygenic disorders and childhood cancers. Childhood cancer like retinoblastoma (RB) is more prevalent in developing countries and the incidence of RB has increased more than three fold in India in the last decade. Recent studies have documented increased incidence of cancers in children born to fathers who consume alcohol in excess and tobacco or who were conceived by assisted conception. The aetiology of childhood cancer and increased disease burden in these children is lin ked to oxidative stress (OS) and oxidative DNA damage( ODD) in sperm of their fathers. Though several antioxidants are in use to combat oxidative stress, the effect of majority of these formulations on DNA is not known. Yoga and meditation cause significant decline in OS and ODD and aid in regulating OS levels such that reactive oxygen speues meditated signal transduction, gene expression and several other physiological functions are not disrupted. Thus, this study aimed to analyze sperm ODD as a possible etiological factor in childhood cancer and role of simple life style interventions like yoga and meditation in significantly decreasing seminal oxidative stress and oxidative DNA damage and thereby decreasing incidence of childhood cancers. Materials and Methods: A total of 131 fathers of children with RB (non-familial sporadic heritable) and 50 controls (fathers of healthy children) were recruited at a tertiary center in India. Sperm parameters as per WHO 2010 guidelines and reactive oxygen species (ROS), DNA fragmentation index (DFI), 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxy guanosine (8-OHdG) and telomere length were estimated at day 0, and after 3 and 6 months of intervention. We also examined the compliance with yoga and meditation practice and smoking status at each follow-up. Results: The seminal mean ROS levels (p<0.05), sperm DFI (p<0.001), 8-OHdG (p<0.01) levels were significantly higher in fathers of children with RB, as compared to controls and the relative mean telomere length in the sperm was shorter. Levels of ROS were significantly reduced in tobacco users (p<0.05) as well as in alcoholics (p<0.05) after intervention. DFI reduced significantly (p<0.05) after 6 months of yoga and meditation practice in all groups. The levels of oxidative DNA damage marker 8-OHdG were reduced significantly after 3 months (p<0.05) and 6 months (p<0.05) of practice. Conclusions: Our results suggest that OS and ODD DNA may contribute to the development of childhood cancer. This may be due to accumulation of oxidized mutagenic base 8OHdG, and elevated MDA levels which results in MDA dimers which are also mutagenic, aberrant methylation pattern, altered gene expression which affect cell proliferation and survival through activation of transcription factors. Increased mt DNA mutations and aberrant repair of mt and nuclear DNA due to highly truncatred DNA repair mechanisms all contribute to sperm genome hypermutability and persistant oxidative DNA damage. Oxidative stress is also associated with genome wide hypomethylation, telomere shortening and mitochondrial dysfunction leading to genome hypermutability and instability. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to report decline in OS and ODD and improvement in sperm DNA integrity following adoption of meditation and yoga based life style modification.This may reduce disease burden in next generation and reduce incidence of childhood cancers.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.27 no.9
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• pp.1070-1077
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• 2017

Chondrocyte apoptosis induced by reactive oxygen species (ROS) plays an important role in the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis. Schisandrin A, a bioactive compound found in fruits of the Schisandra genus, has been reported to possess multiple pharmacological and therapeutic properties. Although several studies have described the antioxidant effects of analogues of schisandrin A, the underlying molecular mechanisms of this bioactive compound remain largely unresolved. The present study investigated the cytoprotective effect of schisandrin A against oxidative stress (hydrogen peroxide [$H_2O_2$]) in SW1353 human chondrocyte cells. The results showed that schisandrin A preconditioning significantly inhibited $H_2O_2-induced$ growth inhibition and apoptotic cell death by blocking the degradation of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase proteins and down-regulating pro-caspase-3. These antiapoptotic effects of schisandrin A were associated with attenuation of mitochondrial dysfunction and normalization of expression changes of proapoptotic Bax and antiapoptotic Bcl-2 in $H_2O_2-stimulated$ SW1353 chondrocytes. Furthermore, schisandrin A effectively abrogated $H_2O_2-induced$ intracellular ROS accumulation and phosphorylation of histone H2AX at serine 139, a widely used marker of DNA damage. Thus, the present study demonstrates that schisandrin A provides protection against $H_2O_2-induced$ apoptosis and DNA damage in SW1353 chondrocytes, possibly by prevention of ROS generation. Collectively, our data indicate that schisandrin A has therapeutic potential in the treatment of oxidative disorders caused by overproduction of ROS.