• Horticultural Science & Technology
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.333-343
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• 2017

Bloomless cucumber fruits are commercially produced by grafting onto the pumpkin stocks (Cucurbita moschata) to restricted silicon ($SiO_2$) absorption. Inhibition of silicon absorption in bloomless stocks is conferred by a mutant allele of the CmLsi1 homologous to Lsi1 in rice. In this study, we characterized the Lsi1 homologs in pumpkin (C. moschata) and its cold-tolerant wild relative C. ficifolia ('Heukjong') in order to develop a DNA marker for selecting a bloomless trait and to establish the molecular basis for breeding bloomless stock cultivars of C. ficifolia. A Cleaved amplified polymorphic sequence (CAPS) marker (CM1-CAPS) was designed based on a non-sysnonymous single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP, C>T) of the CmLsi1 mutant-type allele, and its applicability for Marker-assisted selection (MAS) was confirmed by evaluating three bloom and five bloomless pumpkin stock cultivars. Quantitative RT-PCR of the CmLsi1 for these stock cultivers implied that expression level of the CmLsi1 gene does not appear to be associated with the bloom/bloomless trait and may differ depending on plant species and tissues. A full length cDNA of the Lsi1 homolog [named CfLsi1($B^+$)] of 'Heukjong' (C. ficifolia), was cloned and sequence comparison between CmLsi1($B^+$) and CfLsi1($B^+$) revealed that there exists total 24 SNPs, of which three were non-synonymous. Phylogenetic analysis of CfLsi1($B^+$) and Lsi1 homologs further revealed that CfLsi1($B^+$) is closesly related to Nodulin 26-like intrinsic proteins (NIPs) and most similar to CpNIP1 of C. pepo than C. moschata.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.18 no.6
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• pp.764-769
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• 2008

Mutations in the human connexin 32 (Cx32) gene are responsible for X-linked Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMTX) disease. Although over 300 different mutations have been identified the detailed molecular etiology of CMTX disease is poorly understood. Several studies reported that connexin membrane channels share most biophysical properties with their parental gap junction channels. In this study, two connexin mutant membrane channels (one mutant channel called the M34T channel in which the methionine residue at the $34^{th}$ position of the Cx32 protein is replaced with threonine residue and the other mutant channel called the T86C channel in which the threonine residue at the $86^{th}$ position is replaced with cysteine residue) associated with CMTX mutations were characterized at the single-channel level instead of using mutant gap junction channels. The biophysical properties of the M34T channel were very similar to those of the gap junction channel formed by M34T mutation. In addition, the mutant membrane channel study revealed the reversal of the gating polarity, the loss of fast gating and the gain of slow gating. The T86C channel also behaves like its parental wild type Cx32 membrane channel. Taken together, these results suggest that a study using connexin membrane channels is useful to characterize CMTX mutants.

• Molecular & Cellular Toxicology
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• v.4 no.4
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• pp.318-322
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• 2008

Obesity is an increasing worldwide health problem that is strongly related to the imbalance of food intake and energy metabolism. It was well-known that several substances in the hypothalamus regulate food intake and energy metabolism. We planned an integrative study to elucidate the mechanism of the development of obesity. Firstly, to find candidate genes with the marvelous effect, the different expression in the hypothalamus between ob/ob and 48-h fasting mice was investigated by using DNA microarray technology. As a result, we found 3 genes [peroxisome proliferator activated receptor, gamma, coactivator 1 alpha (Ppargc1a), calmodulin 1 (Calm1), and complexin 2 (Cplx2)] showing the different hypothalamic expression between ob/ob and 48-h fasting mice. Secondly, a genetic approach on PPARGC1A gene was performed, because PPARGC1A acts as a transcriptional coactivator and a metabolic regulator. Two hundred forty three obese female patients with body mass index (BMI)${\geq}$25 and 285 control female subjects with BMI 18 to<23 were recruited according to the Classification of Korean Society for the Study of Obesity. Among the coding single nucleotide polymorphisms (cSNPs) of PPARGC1A, 2 missense SNPs (rs8192678, Gly482Ser; rs3736265, Thr612Met) and 1 synonymous SNP (rs3755863, Thr528Thr) were selected, and analyzed by PCR-RFLP and pyrosequencing. For the analysis of genetic data, chi-square ($X^2$) test and EH program were used. The rs8192678 was significantly associated with obese women (P<0.0006; odds ratio, 1.5327; 95% confidence interval, 1.2006-1.9568). Haplotypes also showed significant association with obese women ($X^2$=33.28, P<0.0008). These results suggest that PPARGC1A might be related to the development of obesity.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.198-204
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• 2009

From leaf mold and reclamation site soil of the Capital area of Korea, 3 poly(butylene succinate-co-butylene adipate: PBSA)-degrading strains were isolated through the clear zone test. The PBSA-degrading activities of the strains were assessed by means of a modified Sturm test using 0.01% of PBSA film as a sole carbon source. After the modified Sturm tests for 40 days at the respective isolation temperatures, the 3 strains degraded 30%, 55% and 43% of PBSA, respectively. The isolated strains were identified to be Burkholderia cepacia PBSA-4, Bacillus licheniformisPBSA-5 and Burkholderia sp. PBSA-6 through the 16S rDNA gene sequence analysis. Among them, PBSA-5 degraded both PBSA and Poly(vinyl alcohol). The degradation activity of the PBSA degrading strains appeared to be high at moderate temperatures such as $27^{\circ}C$ and $37^{\circ}C$, and initial inoculum size of $10^{10}cfu\;mL^{-1}$ degraded PBSA 1.2~1.3 more times than that $10^9cfu\;mL^{-1}$. Addition of 0.1 or 0.5% (w/w) of gelatin, yeast extract and ammonium sulfate raised the PBSA degrading activity, and especially addition of 0.1% (w/w) of gelatin enhanced the PBSA degrading activity by more than 33%. The mixed strains degraded PBSA faster than the single strain.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.210-213
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• 2013

We herein describe a feline case of facial dermatitis whose histopathological features resembled to those of FHV-associated ulcerative dermatitis. A 3-year-old, intact male domestic short-haired cat was presented with 2-years history of pruritic dermatitis that initially appeared on periocular area and extended toward the entire face. The cat had ocular discharge and conjunctivitis from 2-month of age. Clinically, skin lesions were characterized as erythema, erosions and ulcers covered with crusts on the facial and perianal area. Histopathologically, the facial lesion was characterized as interface dermatitis with hydropic degeneration at the basal layer, and single cell necrosis of keratinocytes. In addition, the epidermal and dermal necrosis infiltrated with eosinophils, and intranuclear inclusion bodies in keratinocytes were also recognized. Moreover, feline herpesvirus-1 gene was detected by a PCR analysis using a swab obtained from the crusted lesions. Based upon these findings, the present case was considered as having FHV-associated ulcerative dermatitis. Therapy including oral acyclovir and topical recombinant feline interferon omega resulted in marked improvement of the skin and mucosal lesions.

• The Plant Pathology Journal
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.313-320
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• 2010

Genetic instability of the rice blast fungus Magnaporthe oryzae has been suggested as a major factor underlying the rapid breakdown of host resistance in the field. However, little information is available on the mechanism of genetic instability. In this study, we assessed the stability of repetitive DNA elements and several key phenotypic traits important for pathogenesis after serially transferring two isolates though rice plants and an artificial medium. Using isolate 70-15, we obtained a total of 176 single-spore isolates from 10 successive rounds of culturing on artificial medium. Another 20 isolates were obtained from germ tubes formed at the basal and apical cells of 10 three-celled conidia. Additionally, 60 isolates were obtained from isolate KJ201 after serial transfers through rice plants and an artificial medium. No apparent differences in phenotypes, including mycelial growth, conidial morphologies, conidiation, conidial germination, appressorium formation, and virulence, or in DNA fingerprints using MGR586, MAGGY, Pot2, LINE, MG-SINE and PWL2 as probes were observed among isolates from the same parent isolate. Southern hybridization and sequence analysis of two avirulence genes, AVR-Pita1 and AVR-Pikm, showed that both genes were also maintained stably during 10 successive generations on medium and plants. However, one reversible loss of restriction fragments was found in the telomere-linked helicase gene (TLH1) family, suggesting some telomere regions may be more unstable than the rest of the genome. Taken together, our results suggest that phenotype and genotype of M. oryzae isolates do not noticeably change, at least up to 10 successive generations on a cultural medium and in host plants.

• Journal of dental hygiene science
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.209-219
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• 2015

In order to explore an effect of interaction of Streptococcus gordonii, Fusobacterium nucleatum and Porphyromonas gingivalis that are bacteria relevant to periodontal disease on its growth, the bacteria were incubated in trypticase soy hemin menadione broth at $37^{\circ}C$ $CO_2$ incubator for 7 days through anaerobic jar by single and co-culture with heat treated dead bacteria under anaerobic gas pack. In order to confirm growth level, absorbance was measured and for confirming colony structure and form, it was observed with scanning electron microscope. In order to confirm an effect on pathogenicity of P. gingivalis, real time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction was implemented for expression analysis for rgpA gene that produces HRgpA which is gingipain. As a result, the following conclusion was obtained. Colony formation of S. gordonii and P. gingivalis was increased by other dead bacteria and in case of F. nucleatum, its colony formation was showed an aspect of being increased by dead bacterium of P. gingivalis but decreased by dead bacterium of S. gordonii. Therefore, it is considered that the strains being used for this study would affect interactively through bacterial cell itself as well as their interaction factor at the time of colony formation.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.55 no.2
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• pp.103-111
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• 2019

DNA methylation is involved in diverse processes in bacteria, including maintenance of genome integrity and regulation of gene expression. CcrM, the DNA methyltransferase conserved in Alphaproteobacterial species, carries out $N^6$-adenine or $N^4$-cytosine methyltransferase activities using S-adenosyl methionine as a co-substrate. Celeribacter marinus IMCC12053 from the Alphaproteobacterial group was isolated from a marine environment. Single molecule real-time sequencing method (SMRT) was used to detect the methylation patterns of C. marinus IMCC12053. Gibbs motif sampler program was used to observe the conversion of adenosine of 5'-GANTC-3' to $N^6$-methyladenosine and conversion of $N^4$-cytosine of 5'-GpC-3' to $N^4$-methylcytosine. Exocyclic DNA methyltransferase from the genome of strain IMCC12053 was chosen using phylogenetic analysis and $N^4$-cytosine methyltransferase was cloned. IPTG inducer was used to confirm the methylation activity of DNA methylase, and cloned into a pQE30 vector using dam-/dcm- E. coli as the expression host. The genomic DNA and the plasmid carrying methylase-encoding sequences were extracted and cleaved with restriction enzymes that were sensitive to methylation, to confirm the methylation activity. These methylases protected the restriction enzyme site once IPTG-induced methylases methylated the chromosome and plasmid, harboring the DNA methylase. In this study, cloned exocyclic DNA methylases were investigated for potential use as a novel type of GpC methylase for molecular biology and epigenetics.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.64 no.1
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• pp.100-109
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• 2021

Objective : Diffuse astrocytic tumour (DAT) is a diffuse infiltrative astrocytoma tumour accompanied by molecular parameters such as the presence or absence of isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) gene mutations. Ki-67 is a marker for DAT proliferation, while programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) indicates an immune evasion mechanism. This study aimed to analyze the correlation among mutant IDH1 R132H, Ki-67, and PD-L1 immunoexpression in the DAT. Methods : A cross-sectional study was carried out on 30 paraffin blocks of DAT cases. Paraffin block samples consist of grade II (n=14), grade III (n=8), and grade IV (n=8). In this study, the immunohistochemistry-staining of mutant IDH1 R132H, Ki-67, and PD-L1 were carried out to determine the frequency of DAT with IDH1 mutations. Results : Our study shown the frequency of IDH1 mutations in grade II 50.0% (7/14), grade III 37.5% (3/8), and grade IV 12.5% (1/8). Our study also showed a difference in Ki-67 and PD-L1 expression between each the degree of DAT histopathology (p=0.0001 and p=0.002, respectively). There was an association between both mutant IDH1 R132H, and Ki-67 with PD-L1 expression in DAT (p=0.0087 and p=0.0049, respectively). Conclusion : DAT with the mutant IDH1 is frequently observed in grade II and small number of grade III. The expression of wild type IDH1, Ki-67, and PD-L1 were found to be higher in high grade DAT (grade III and grade IV). There is a correlation between each of mutant IDH1 status and Ki-67 with PD-L1 expression in DAT.

• Korean Journal of Breeding Science
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• v.51 no.4
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• pp.318-325
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• 2019

Salt stress is a significant factor limiting growth and productivity in crops. However, little is known about the response and resistance mechanism to salt stress in maize. The objective of this research was to develop an enhanced salt-tolerant silage maize by mutagenesis with gamma radiation. To generate gamma radiation-induced salt-tolerant silage maize, we irradiated a KS140 inbred line with 100 Gy gamma rays. Salt tolerance was determined by evaluating plant growth, morphological changes, and gene expression under NaCl stress. We screened 10 salt-tolerant maize inbred lines from 2,248 M₂ mutant populations and selected a line showing better growth under salt stress conditions. The selected 140RS516 mutant exhibited improved seed germination and plant growth when compared with the wild-type under salt stress conditions. Enhanced salt tolerance of the 140RS516 mutant was attributed to higher stomatal conductance and proline content. Using whole-genome re-sequencing analysis, a total of 328 single nucleotide polymorphisms and insertions or deletions were identified in the 140RS516 mutant. We found that the expression of the genes involved in salt stress tolerance, ABP9, CIPK21, and CIPK31, was increased by salt stress in the 140RS516 mutant. Our results suggest that the 140RS516 mutant induced by gamma rays could be a good material for developing cultivars with salt tolerance in maize.