• Journal of Microbiology
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.11-17
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• 2000

A new method was developed for the rapid analysis of diverse bacterial species in the natural environment. Our method is based on PCR-single-strands-conformation polymorphism (PCR-SSCP) and selective isolation technique of single-stranded DNA. Variable V3 fragments of 16S rDNA were amplified by PCR with bacterial 16S rDNA primers, where one of the primers was biotinylated at the 5'-end. The biotinylated strands of the PCR products were selectively isolated by using streptavidin paramagnetic particles and a magnetic stand, to prevent SSCP analysis producing heteroduplexes from heterogeneous DNA samples. The selected strands were separated by electrophoresis on a polyacrylamide gel, and detected by silver staining. Analysis of PCR products from 8 bacterial strains demonstrated their characteristic DNA band patterns. In addition, changes in the structure of the bacterial community and species diversity in the microcosm treated with phenol could be monitored. After 3 weeks of incubation, phenol and its intermediate, 2-hydroxy-muconic-semialdehyde, were degraded by indigenous bacteria. These dominating bacterial populations were identified as strong bands on an SSCP gel. Therefore, this study provides useful tools for microbial community analysis of natural habitats.

• Korean Journal Plant Pathology
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• v.14 no.5
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• pp.519-525
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• 1998

Intraspecific genetic diversity of Korean isolates of Phytophthora drechsleri was investigated based on PCR-RFLP of rDNA along with closely related species in the genus; P. cryptogea, P. melonis, P. erythroseptica, P. cinnamomi, P. cambivora and P. cactorum. Gene regions of nuclear small subunit and internal transcribed spacer (ITS) in rDNA were amplified with polymerase chain reaction and digested with 9 restriction enzymes. Phytophthora species was readily differentiated from each other based on the digestion patterns, however, P. cryptogea was not separable from some isolates of P. drechsleri. Twenty one isolates of P. drechsleri originated from 15 host plants were divided into three distinct groups designated as PdG1, PdG2 and PdG3, respectively. Four isolates in PdG1 were originated from green vegetables and tomato and nine isolates in PdG2 were mainly isolated from medicinal plants. The two groups showed 95.3% homology and four isolates of P. cyptogea came under the groups. However, Eight isolates in PdG3 collected from cucurbits were clearly differentiated from those of PdG1 and PdG2 by 66.5% homology, but completely matched with a Taiwan isolate of P. melonis. Results indicated that three distinct groups exist in Korean isolates of P. drechleri and each group has host preference. In addition, reclassification of the cucurbits isolates are reserved because of their distinct genetic characters from other intraspecific groups in P. drechsleri.

• The Korean Journal of Mycology
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• v.48 no.3
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• pp.217-228
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• 2020

Endophytic fungi were isolated from the leaves of plants inhabiting the Hansando Island in Korea. We identified the fungal strains based on their morphological characteristics and on the phylogenetic analysis using DNA sequences of the internal transcribed spacer, small subunit rDNA, large subunit rDNA, and translation elongation factor 1- α regions. In this study, we isolated five endophytic fungi that have not been recorded in Korea, Arthrinium camelliaesinensis, Beltraniella humicola, B. portoricensis, Microxiphium theae, and Piceomphale pinicola. Their morphological characteristics as well as the results of molecular phylogenetic analysis are reported here.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.44 no.2 s.138
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• pp.117-125
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• 2006

Genetic diversity of 18 Acanthamoeba isolates from ocean sediments was evaluated by comparing mitochondrial (mt) DNA RFLP, 18S rDNA sequences and by examining their cytopathic effects on human corneal epithelial cells versus reference strains. All isolates belonged to morphologic group II. Total of 16 restriction phenotypes of mtDNA from 18 isolates demonstrated the genetic diversity of Acanthamoeba in ocean sediments. Phylogenetic analysis using 18s rDNA sequences revealed that the 18 isolates were distinct from morphological groups I and III. Fifteen isolates showed close relatedness with 17 clinical isolates and A. castellanii Castellani and formed a lineage equivalent to T4 genotype of Byers' group. Two reference strains from ocean sediment, A. hatchetti BH-2 and A. griffini S-7 clustered unequivocally with these 15 isolates. Diversity among isolates was also evident from their cytopathic effects on human corneal cells. This is the first time describing Acanthamoeba diversity in ocean sediments in Korea.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.211-218
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• 2003

Human ovarian cancerous cells survive in a way that they trigger the nucleotide excision repair (NER) or double-strand DNA repair (dsDNA) repair mechanism to show resistance to anticancer drugs and activate many kinds of repair protein, thus removing damaged DNAs. Two experiments on the PA-1 human ovarian teratocareinoma cell line that hardly has any expression of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) were conducted in the study; first, EGF-R was transfected and its receptor was obtained. The receptor was investigated in terms of its mutual relations with many kinds of protein concerning NER or dsDNA repair. Second, it was examined what kind impact cisplatin and adriamycin had on the effects of EGF-R over the PA-1 cell line lacking EGF-R. When being administered with cisplatin and adriamycin, Hey and Hey C2 cell lines showed a high level of resistance while PA-1 cell line a high level of sensitivity. Hey and Hey C2 cell lines that are resistant against anticancer drugs exhibited a high level of EGF-R expression while PA-1 cell line that is sensitive to them did a much lower level of the expression. When PA-1 cell line was transfected for the expression of DNA adduct and EGF-R, it showed a higher level of resistance compared to the control group. There was no difference in the expression of DNA repair proteins (DNA- dependent protein kinase, Ku70, and Ku80) between Hey and the PA-1 cell lines. The results indicate that the Hey cell line that is resistant against cisplatin and adriamycin works along the signaling system responding to the changes of EGF-R while the PA-1 cell line that is sensitive to both of them does to the lack of EGF-R.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.183-188
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• 2009

Seven isolates showing strong proteolytic activity, KYC 1028, 1100, 1134, 1139, 1151, 1159, and 1182, were collected. Out of them, the broth of KYC 1134 and KYC 1139 showed the high proteolytic activity measured by azocazein. To determine 16S rDNA sequences for identification, 16S rDNA of seven isolates were amplified and compared with the 16S rDNA sequences of other myxobacteria at NCBI. It is evident from the phylo-genetic tree that the isolates belong to the genus Myxococcus. Sharing high percentage similarity values with myxobacteria, the 16S rDNA sequences were involved in two species, Myxococcus macrospores and M. Fulvus. Biochemical characteristics of KYC 1134 broth, which showed the highest proteolytic activity, showed increased activity 8 times to seven days after culture, and protein production were increased gradually and stopped at five days. The broth had optimal temperature at $60^{\circ}C$ for proteolytic activity, and stability of pH was ranged from pH 5 to 10, at $50^{\circ}C$ and 60, respectively. To classify proteases being in the broth, ten inhibitors were determined and only bestatin showed 27% inhibition effect. The inhibition result demonstrates that the broth contains kinds of amino peptidases and other exopeptidases.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.48 no.4
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• pp.275-283
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• 2012

Culture-dependent RFLP and culture-independent DGGE were employed to investigate the bacterial community associated with the marine sponge Asteropus simplex collected from Jeju Island. A total of 120 bacterial strains associated with the sponge were cultivated using modified Zobell and MA media. PCR amplicons of the 16S rDNA from the bacterial strains were digested with the restriction enzymes HaeIII and MspI, and then assigned into different groups according to their restriction patterns. The 16S rDNA sequences derived from RFLP patterns showed more than 94% similarities compared with known bacterial species, and the isolates belonged to five phyla, Alphaproteobacteria, Gammaproteobacteria Actinobacteria, Bacteroidetes, and Firmicutes, of which Gammaproteobacteria was dominant. DGGE fingerprinting of 16S rDNAs amplified from the sponge-derived total gDNA showed 12 DGGE bands, and their sequences showed more than 90% similarities compared with available sequences. The sequences derived from DGGE bands revealed high similarity with the uncultured bacterial clones. DGGE revealed that bacterial community consisted of seven phyla, including Alphaproteobacteria, Betaproteobacteria, Gammaproteobacteria, Deltaproteobacteria, Actinobacteira, Chloroflexi, and Nitrospira. Alphaproteobacteria, Gammaproteobacteria, and Actinobacteria were commonly found in bacteria associated with A. simplex by both RFLP and DGGE methods, however, overall bacterial community in the sponge differed depending on the analysis methods. Sponge showed more various bacterial community structures in culture-independent method than in culture-dependent method.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.45 no.2
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• pp.155-162
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• 2009

A cultivation-based approach was employed to compare the culturable bacterial diversity associated with two phylogenetically closely related marine sponges, Spirastrella abata and Spirastrella panis, which have geologically overlapping distribution patterns. The bacteria associated with sponge were cultivated using MA medium supplemented with 3% sponge extracts. Community structures of the culturable bacteria of the two sponge species were analyzed with PCR-RFLP (restriction fragment length polymorphism) based on 16S rDNA sequences. The RFLP fingerprinting of 16S rDNA digested with HaeIII and MspI, revealed 24 independent RFLP types, in which 1-5 representative strains from each type were partially sequenced. The sequence analysis showed >98.4% similarity to known bacterial species in public databases. Overall, the microbial populations of two sponges investigated were found to be the members of the classes; Alphaproteobacteria, Gammaproteobacteria, Firmicutes, and Actinobacteria. The Alphaproteobacteria were predominant in the bacterial communities of the two sponges. Gammaproteobacteria represented 38.5% of bacterial community in S. abata. Whereas only 1.6% of this class was present in S. panis. Bacillus species were dominat in S. panis. Bacillus species were found to be 44.3% of bacterial species in S. panis, while they were only 9.7% in S. abata. It is interesting to note that Planococcus maritimus (8.1%, phylum Firmicutes) and Psychrobacter nivimaris (28.9%, phylum Gammaproteobacteria) were found only in S. abata. This result revealed that profiles of bacterial communities from the sponges with a close phylogenetic relationship were highly species-specific.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.48 no.1
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• pp.33-38
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• 2022

Ultraviolet B (UVB) damages DNA residues in skin keratinocytes. In particular, the formation of cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPD), a pyrimidine residue damage in DNA, is considered a representative indicator of skin photoaging. In this study, we confirmed defensive effect of Glycyrrhiza glabra (G. glabra) extract against UVB induced DNA damage. First of all, we confirmed UVB dependent amount of CPD formation in human keratinocyte cell line. UVB induced CPD was decreased by G. glabra extract by dose dependent manner. In addition, it was confirmed that the expression of mRNA of DNA damage recovery factors was increased by G. glabra extract. Consequently, through this study, it was possible to confirm the DNA protection effect of G. glabra extract in skin keratinocytes.

• Research in Plant Disease
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.63-68
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• 2004

Twenty-three strains of Serratia sp., isolated from surface-sterilized rice roots collected in Chonbuk and Chungnam province, were identified and characterized. They were Gram-negative, rod shaped and red pigmented typically and their endophytism was confirmed by inoculation and reisolation of the strains in planta. Their antifungal activity against 4 rice pathogenic fungi was compared and ranged from 62.4 to 85.2％ against Rhizoctonia solani and 68.0 to 88.5％ against Pyricularia grisea. Among the 23 strains tested, strain Rsm220 showed the strongest inhibition activity against 4 pathogenic fungi. The strain was, therefore, selected as a biocontrol candidate for both the pathogens and its bacteriological characteristics and 165 rDNA sequences were analyzed. Phenotypic and biochemical characteristics of the selected Rsm220 were highly related to the type strain of S. marcescens and 165 rDNA sequencing of Rsm220 showed a homology of 98.2％ to the type strain of S. marcescens. The strain Rsm220 was identified as S. marcescens and the inhibition result of this endophytic strain indicates that it is a potential biocontrol agent for R. solani and R grisea.