• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.44 no.1
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• pp.68-73
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• 2016

Lactic acid bacteria showing both protease activity and the capacity to produce casein phosphopeptide (CPP) were isolated from Korean kimchi, a traditional food made from fermented vegetables. Among the 450 strains of isolated lactic acid bacteria, the strain MG-379 showed high protease activity and the highest ability to produce CPP. Characterization results showed that MG-379 was gram-positive and measured $0.6-0.8{\mu}m$ in diameter. DNA sequencing of MG-379 and comparison with other sequences using BLAST revealed a 100% identity with the sequence of Enterococcus faecalis. However, MG-379 showed a higher CPP-producing ability than E. faecalis KCCM 40450. Accordingly, MG-379 was newly named as E. faecalis MG-379. Amount of free calcium liberated by CPPs was 2227.5 and 1151.6 mg/kg for E. faecalis MG-379 and E. faecalis KCCM (control), respectively.

• Journal of fish pathology
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.135-148
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• 2017

Pathogen introductions associated with aquatic invasive species threaten ecosystems and biodiversity worldwide. Bigheaded carps (BHC), including Silver Carp Hypophthalmichthys molitrix, Bighead Carp H. nobilis, and their hybrids, are prolific, invasive pests in central US rivers. However, little is known about pathogen effects on invading BHC or how BHC affect the disease risk profile for native fishes in receiving ecosystems. We therefore conducted, from May 2013-December 2014, a systematic pathogen survey for BHC and native fishes in the Wabash River watershed, Indiana, USA. We found Pseudomonas fluorescens, P. putida, and Salmonella enterica DNA in BHC as well as native fishes, although none of these bacteria were exclusively present in BHC. DNA from other bacterial taxa was detected only in native fishes and Common Carp Cyprinus carpio. No gastrointestinal helminths were detected in BHC, although they were common in most native fishes examined. We also conducted in vitro studies on BHC tissues (skin, gill, fin, and fry) and found high sensitivity to Largemouth Bass virus, viral hemorrhagic septicemia virus, and infectious pancreatic necrosis virus. We conclude that BHC are not heavily burdened by bacteria, viruses and parasites in the invaded study ecosystems, although they do harbor native bacteria and show potential for high sensitivity to endemic viruses.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.25 no.11
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• pp.1515-1520
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• 2012

Insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3) gene is important for regulation of growth and development in mammals. The present investigation was carried out to study DNA polymorphism by PCR-RFLP of IGFBP-3 gene and its effect on fibre traits of Chinese Inner Mongolian cashmere goats. The fibre traits data investigated were cashmere fibre diameter, combed cashmere weight, cashmere fibre length and guard hair length. Four hundred and forty-four animals were used to detect polymorphisms in the hircine IGFBP-3 gene. A 316-bp fragment of the IGFBP-3 gene in exon 2 was amplified and digested with HaeIII restriction enzyme. Three patterns of restriction fragments were observed in the populations. The frequency of AA, AB and BB genotypes was 0.58, 0.33 and 0.09 respectively. The allelic frequency of the A and B allele was 0.75 and 0.25 respectively. Nucleotide sequencing revealed a C>G transition in the exon 2 region of the IGFBP-3 gene resulting in R158G change which caused the polymorphism. Least squares analysis revealed a significant effect of genotypes on cashmere weight (p<0.0001), cashmere fibre length (p<0.001) and hair length (p<0.05) of the animals. The effect of genotypes on cashmere fibre diameter was not statistically significant (p>0.05). The animals of AB and BB genotypes showed higher cashmere weight, cashmere fibre length and hair length than the animals possessing AA genotype. These results suggested that polymorphisms in the hircine IGFBP-3 gene might be a potential molecular marker for cashmere weight in cashmere goats.

• The Korean Journal of Mycology
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• v.48 no.1
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• pp.69-74
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• 2020

In September 2017, a heavy damage by premature defoliation with the zonate leaf spots was observed in several shrubs of Lespedeza cyrtobotrya growing at Mt. Obongsan in Chuncheon, Korea. Numerous cone-shaped, white sporophores of a fungus were observed on lesions of the abaxial leaf surface. A similar fungus was isolated in September 2019 from the leaves of L. cyrtobotrya growing at Mt. Taegisan in Hoengseong, Korea. The morphological characteristics of the sporophores were consistent with those of Grovesinia moricola. The species identification was confirmed by sequencing the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of the ribosomal DNA from the two isolates (KACC48417 and KACC48934). The fungal pathogenicity was determined by an artificial inoculation in conditions of relative humidity and temperature of 100% and 15±2℃, respectively. This is the first report of association of G. moricola with L. cyrtobotrya in Korea.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.18 no.12
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• pp.1966-1974
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• 2008

A typical tropical soil from the northeast of Brazil, where an important terrestrial oil field is located, was accidentally contaminated with a mixture of oil and saline production water. To study the bioremediation potential in this area, molecular methods based on PCR-DGGE were used to determine the diversity of the bacterial communities in bulk and in contaminated soils. Bacterial fingerprints revealed that the bacterial communities were affected by the presence of the mixture of oil and production water, and different profiles were observed when the contaminated soils were compared with the control. Halotolerant strains capable of degrading crude oil were also isolated from enrichment cultures obtained from the contaminated soil samples. Twenty-two strains showing these features were characterized genetically by amplified ribosomal DNA restriction analysis (ARDRA) and phenotypically by their colonial morphology and tolerance to high NaCl concentrations. Fifteen ARDRA groups were formed. Selected strains were analyzed by 16S rDNA sequencing, and Actinobacteria was identified as the main group found. Strains were also tested for their growth capability in the presence of different oil derivatives (hexane, dodecane, hexadecane, diesel, gasoline, toluene, naphthalene, o-xylene, and p-xylene) and different degradation profiles were observed. PCR products were obtained from 12 of the 15 ARDRA representatives when they were screened for the presence of the alkane hydroxylase gene (alkB). Members of the genera Rhodococcus and Gordonia were identified as predominant in the soil studied. These genera are usually implicated in oil degradation processes and, as such, the potential for bioremediation in this area can be considered as feasible.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.28 no.7
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• pp.1133-1140
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• 2018

Pseudomonas fluorescens KLR101 was found to be capable of producing polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) using various sugars and fatty acids with carbon numbers ranging from 2 to 6. The PHA granules consisted mainly of a poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) homopolymer and/or poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) copolymer. Genomic DNA of P. fluorescens was fractionated and cloned into a lambda library, in which a 5.8-kb fragment that hybridized to a heterologous phaC probe from Ralstonia eutropha was identified. In vivo expression in Klebsiella aerogenes KC2671 (pUMS), restriction mapping, Southern hybridization experiments, and sequencing data revealed that PHA biosynthesis by P. fluorescens relied upon a polypeptide encoded by a 1,683-bp non-operonal ORF, which was preceded by a possible -24/-12 promoter and highly similar to DNA sequences of a gene encoding PHA synthase in the genus Pseudomonas. In vivo expression of the putative PHA synthase gene ($phaC_{Pf}$) in a recombinant Escherichia coli strain was investigated by using glucose and decanoate as substrates. E. coli (${phaC_{Pf}}^+$, pUMS) grown in medium containing glucose accumulated PHA granules consisting mainly of 3-hydroxybutyrate, whereas only a trace amount of 3-hydroxydecanoate was detected from an E. coli fadR mutant (${phaC_{Pf}}^+$) grown in medium containing decanoate. In vitro enzymatic assessment experiments showed that 3-hydroxybutyryl-CoA was efficiently used as a substrate of purified $PhaC_{Pf}$, suggesting that the putative PHA synthase of P. fluorescens utilizes mainly short-chain-length PHA precursors as a substrate.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.18 no.11
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• pp.1741-1746
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• 2008

This study was conducted to select endophytic actinomycetes as biocontrol agents against Chinese cabbage clubroot caused by Plasmodiophora brassicae. A total of 81 endophytic actinomycetes were isolated from surface-sterilized roots of Chinese cabbage that was grown on paddy field and upland soils collected from various locations in Korea. By using 16S ribosomal DNA (rDNA) gene sequencing, they were classified to 8 actinobacterial genera. The genus Microbispora (67%) was most frequently isolated, followed by Streptomyces (12%) and Micromonospora (11%). Three of the 81 isolates, when inoculated in germinated Chinese cabbage seeds and then transplanted to pots, effectively suppressed the occurrence of a post-inoculated strain of P. brassicae in the pots. They showed control values of 58% for strain A004, 33% for strain A011, and 42% for strain A018. Based on cell wall components, morphological characteristics, and phylogenetic analyses, the three antagonistic isolates were identified as Microbispora rosea subsp. rosea (A004 and A011) and Streptomyces olivochromogenes (A018). Further researches on the field efficacy and action modes of the three actinomycetes are in progress.

• The Korean Journal of Mycology
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• v.48 no.3
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• pp.345-353
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• 2020

As part of the mushroom surveys in the unexplored areas of Korea in 2019 and 2020, a phalloid fungus was found in a saline sand beach. The specimen was mainly characterized by its reticulate pileus and violet volva with well-developed rhizomorphs. Based on ribosomal DNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequencing and morphological characteristics, the specimen was identified as Phallus hadriani. Additionally, a morphological comparison of closely related species was performed. This study describes for the first time the presence of P. hadriani in Korea.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.21 no.7
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• pp.917-922
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• 2008

A disintegrin-like and metalloprotease (reprolysin type) with thrombospondin type 1 motif (ADAMTS1) plays a critical role in follicular rupture and represents a major advance in the proteolytic events that control ovulation. In this study, a 9,026-bp DNA sequence containing the full coding region, all 8 introns and part of the 5'and 3' untranslated region of the porcine ADAMTS1 gene was obtained. Analysis of the ADAMTS1 gene using the porcine radiation hybrid panel indicated that pig ADAMTS1 is closely linkage with microsatellite marker S0215, located on SSC13q49. The open reading frame of its cDNA covered 2,844 bp and encoded 947 amino acids. The coding region of porcine ADAMTS1 as determined by sequence alignments shared 85% and 81% identity with human and mouse cDNAs, respectively. The deduced protein contained 947 amino acids showing 85% sequence similarity both to the human and mouse proteins, respectively. Comparative sequencing of three pig breeds revealed one single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) within exon 7 of which a G-C substitution at position 6006 changes a codon for arginine into a codon for proline. The substitution was situated within a PvuII recognition site and developed as a PCR-RFLP marker for further use in population variation investigations and association analysis with litter size. Allele frequencies of this SNP were investigated in seven pig breeds/lines. An association analysis in a new Qingping female line suggested that different ADAMTS1 genotypes have significant differences in litter size (p<0.01).

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.16
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• pp.7071-7076
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• 2015

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is one of the targeted molecular markers in many cancers including lung malignancies. Gefitinib and erlotinib are two available therapeutics that act as specific inhibitors of tyrosine kinase (TK) domains. We performed a case-control study with formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue blocks (FFPE) from tissue biopsies of 167 non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) patients and 167 healthy controls. The tissue biopsies were studied for mutations in exons 18-21 of the EGFR gene. This study was performed using PCR followed by DNA sequencing. We identified 63 mutations in 33 men and 30 women. Mutations were detected in exon 19 (delE746-A750, delE746-T751, delL747-E749, delL747-P753, delL747-T751) in 32 patients, exon 20 (S786I, T790M) in 16, and exon 21 (L858R) in 15. No mutations were observed in exon 18. The 63 patients with EFGR mutations were considered for upfront therapy with oral tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) drugs and have responded well to therapy over the last 15 months. The control patients had no mutations in any of the exons studied. The advent of EGFR TKI therapy has provided a powerful new treatment modality for patients diagnosed with NSCLC. The study emphasizes the frequency of EGFR mutations in NSCLC patients and its role as an important predictive marker for response to oral TKI in the south Indian population.