• Korean Journal of Plant Tissue Culture
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• v.25 no.5
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• pp.341-346
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• 1998

In this paper we describe the cloning and expression of the genes encoding the flavonoid-biosynthetic enzyme dihydroflavonol 4-reductase (DFR) in Matthiola incana R. Br. A heterologous cDNA probe from Zea mays was used to isolate full-size DFR cDNA clone from a corolla-specific cDNA library. Comparison of the coding region of this DFR cDNA sequence including the sequences of Zea mays, Anthirrinum majus, Petunia hybrida, Callistephus chinensis, Dianthus caryophyllus and Rosa hybrida reveals a identity higher than 61% at the nucleotide level. The DFR transcript is G/C rich in monocotyledonous plants show a strong codon bias preferring codons with a G or C in the third position. The function of this nucleotide sequences were verified by comparison with amino acid sequences of the amino-terminus and tryptic peptides from purified plant enzyme, by northern blotting with mRNA from wild type and mutant plants and by in vitro expression yielding an enzymatically active reductase. Genomic southern blot analysis showed the presence of one gene for DFR in Matthiola incana. Northern blot analysis of the DFR wild type and mutant lines showed that the lack of DFR activity in the stable acyanic mutant k17b is clearly by a transcriptional block of the DFR gene.

• Korean Journal of Plant Tissue Culture
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.163-169
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• 1999

This study was conducted to produce herbicide resistant plants by transferring phosphinothricin acetyltransferase (PAT) gene into Populus alba $\times$ Populus glandulosa No .3 using Agrobacterium tumefaciens MP 90/PAT. Leaf segments from in vitro grown shoots of hybrid poplar No. 3 were soaked in a AB medium containing Agrobacterium tumefaciens MP 90/PAT for 10 min and cocultivated for 2 days on MS medium containing 1.0 mg/L 2,4-D and 0.2mg/L kinetin (CIM). Putative transformed calli could be selected after cocultivation of leaf segments on CIM supplemented with 50mg/L kanamycin and 500mg/L cefotaxime for 3 weeks. The selected calli were cultured on CIM supplemented with 50 mg/L kanamycin and 500 mg/L cefotaxime for 5~8 weeks before transfer to WPM containing 1.0mg/L zeatin, 0.1mg/L BAP, 50 mg/L kanamycin and 500mg/L cefotaxime for shoot regeneration. Shoots were regenerated from the callus after 4 week cultivation, and the regenerants were grown on the same medium for 7~l0 weeks. The plants rooted on 1/2 WPM containing 0.2 mg/L IBA and 50 mg/L kanamycin. To confirm the gene insertion into plants, GUS activity was detected by histochemical assay in the transformed plants. Finally, the presence of both NPT II and PAT genes from the transgenic plants were confirmed by PCR amplification with the gene specific primers and subsequent PCR-Southern blot with DIG-labeled PAT gene probe. After acclimatization in pots for 4 weeks, the plants were sprayed by 3 mL/L of Basta to test resistance to the herbicide. The transgenic plants remained green, whereas all the control plants died after one week.

• Molecular & Cellular Toxicology
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• v.1 no.4
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• pp.256-261
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• 2005

The recent DNA microarray technology enables us to understand gene expression profiling in cell line and animal models. The technology has potential possibility to comprehend mechanism of multiple genes were related to compounds which have toxicity in biological system. So, microarray system has been used for the prediction of toxicity through gene expression induced by toxicants. It has been shown that compounds with similar toxic mechanisms produce similar changes in gene expression in vivo system. Here we focus on the use of toxicogenomics for the determination of gene expression analysis associated with hepatotoxicity in rat liver and cell line (WB-F344). Methotrexate (MTX) is a chemotherapy agent that has been used for many years in the treatment of cancer because it affects cells that are rapidly dividing. Also it has been known the toxicity of MTX, in a MTX abortion, it stops embryonic cells from dividing and multiplying and is a non-surgical method of ending pregnancy in its early stages. We have shown DNA microarray analyses to assess MTX-specific expression profiles in vivo and in vitro. Male Sprague-Dawely VAF+ albino rats of 5-6 weeks old and WB-F344 cell line have been treated with MTX. Total RNA was isolated from Rat liver and cell line that has treated with MTX. 4.8 K cDNA microarray in house has been used for gene expression profiling of MTX treatment. We have found quite distinct gene expression patterns induced by MTX in a cell line and in vivo system.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.277-283
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• 2001

The emergence of extended spectrum beta-lactamase(ESBL) producing bacteria is causing very serious problems in Korea. Although there have been many reports about these bacteria isolated from patients and clinical specimens, there is no report of ESBL-producing organisms isolated from natural evironment in Korea. This is the first study on the ESBL producing bacteria out of the medical system in Korea. Twenty-six ESBL producing bacteria were isolated only from sewerage plant drain water at Kwang-an beach among the sampling collected sites including snakehead fish plants in Myungi, Aquaculture Engineering Lab. in Pukyong National University and two public-bathrooms in Pusan, Korea. ESBL producing bacteria were identified by double-disk synergy test, conjugation, isoelectric focusing values and PCR. The species of ESBL producing bacteria were Enterobacter cloacae(4 strains), E. sakazakii(8 strains), Klebsiella pneumoniae subsp. pneumoniae(8 strains) and K. pneumoniae subsp. ozaenae(6 strains). TEM and SHV specific PCR products were detected from all the ESBL strains produced TEM+SHV products on the PCR plates. The pI values of ESBL produced by Klebsiella pneumoniae subsp. pneumoniae, K. pneumoniae subsp. ozaenae, Enterobacter cloacae, and E. sakazakii were 5.9, 5.9+5.4; 5.9, $5.9+5.4;{\ge}8.5$, 8.0+5.4, and 8.0+5.4, respectively on the IEF. Seven strains of the isolates were transfered their genes to E. coli RG488 $Rif^r$ by conjugation.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.51 no.1
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• pp.31-38
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• 2015

The bacterial community structures of two marine sponges, Cinachyrella sp. and Plakortis sp., collected from Chuuk in the South Pacific in February 2012 were analyzed by PCR-DGGE (Denaturing Gradient Gel Electrophoresis) fingerprinting. After isolation of the total genomic DNAs from the sponges, the V3 regions of the 16S rRNA genes were amplified and subjected to DGGE profiling. The two species of sponges displayed different DGGE band patterns. The sequences derived from the DGGE bands revealed 85-100% similarities to known bacterial species in the public database. The bacterial community of Cinachyrella sp. was composed of 6 classes: Actinobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Chloroflexi, and Proteobacteria (Alpha-, Gamma-, Delta-). The bacterial community of Plakortis sp. included 7 classes: Actinobacteria, Chloroflexi, Firmicutes, Spirochaetes, and Proteobacteria (Alpha-, Gamma-, Delta-). Though Actinobacteria, Chloroflexi and Proteobacteria were commonly found in both sponges, the predominant bacterial communities differed between the two. Namely, the predominant bacterial groups in Cinachyrella sp. and Plakortis sp. were Proteobacteria and Chloroflexi, respectively. The sponge-associated bacteria are sponge host-specific, as each of the tested sponges from the same geographical location had different predominant bacterial diversity.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.85-92
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• 2008

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic human pathogen, causing a wide variety of infections including cystic fibrosis, microbial keratitis, and burn wound infections. The cell-to-cell signaling mechanism known as quorum sensing (QS) plays a key role in these infections and the QS systems of P. aeruginosa have been most intensively studied. While many literatures that introduce the QS systems of P. aeruginosa have mostly focused on two major acyl-homo serine lactone (acyl-HSL) QS signals, N-3-oxododecanoyl homoserine lactone (3OC12) and N-butanoyl homoserine lactone (C4), several new signal molecules have been discovered and suggested for their significant roles in signaling and virulence of P. aeruginosa. One of them is PQS (Pseudomonas quinolone signal; 2-heptyl-3-hydroxy-4-quinolone), which is now considered as a well-characterized major signal meolecule of P. aeruginosa. In addition, recent researches have also suggested some more putative signal molecules of P. aeruginosa, which are diketopiperazines (DKPs) and pyocyanin. DKPs are cyclic dipeptides and structurally diverse depending on what amino acids are involved in composition. Some DKPs from the culture supernatant of P. aeruginosa are suggested as new diffusible signal molecules, based on their ability to activate Vibrio fischeri LuxR biosensors that are previously considered specific for acyl-HSLs. Pyocyanin (1-hydroxy-5-methyl-phenazine), one of phenazine derivatives produced by P. aeruginosa is a characteristic blue-green pigment and redox-active compound. This has been recently suggested as a terminal signaling factor to upregulate some QS-controlled genes during stationary phase under the mediation of a transcription factor, SoxR. Here, details about these newly emerging signaling molecules of P. aeruginosa are discussed.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.148-157
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• 2003

Background and Objectives: Individual genetic susceptibilities to chemical carcinogens have been recognized as a major important host factors in human cancers. The cytochrome P450 family (CYPs) and glutathione S-transferase(GST) have been reported to be associated with risks to the smoking-related human cancers. Inactivation of tumor suppressor genes like p53 playa key role in tumor progression. The purpose of this study is to demonstrate an association between p53 overexpression and the prevalence of the genetic polymorphisms of CYP1A1 and GSTs in Korean head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Materials and Methods: The polymorphisms of CYPIA1 and GSTs were analyzed by PCR and PCR-RFLP in 98 Korean head and neck squamous cell carcinoma patients. The expression of p53 was analyzed by immunohistochemistry with anti-p53 Ab (DO7). Results: Overexpression of p53 detected in 45.9% of HNSCC. The odds ratio for p53 overexpression in GSTM1(-), GSTT1(-), GSTP1(val/val) and CYP1A1(val/val) were 1.53, 1.83, 1.17 and 1.47, respectively. Among the combined genotypes, the odds ratio of the CYP1A1 val/val, GSTM1 (-), CYP1A1 val/val, GSTT1(-), and CYP1A1 val/val, GSTT1(-) were 2.0, 2.34 and 4.68, respectively. Conclusion: Based on our results, it might be suggested that p53 overexpression is slightly increased in GSTM1(-), GSTT1(-), GSTP1 val/val, CYP1A1 val/val genotypes. The further study is needed to evaluate the relationship and mechanism between the p53 overexpression and the specific CYP1A1 and GSTs genotypes.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.46 no.6
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• pp.903-908
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• 2004

Alternative initiation codon(AlC) has been reported in the mitochondrial genes in various mammalian species. We investigated the AlC of mitochondrial NADH dehydrogenase 2 gene(rntDNA ND2) in five pig breeds. Two kinds of initiation codons(ATA/ATf) showing different frequencies among tested pig breeds were used. While all Large White pigs had ATA as an initiator methionine codon, all Landrace pigs had ATf. The other breeds(Berkshire, Duroc and Hampshire) had both initiation codons with the ATA frequencies, 91.9, 21.3 and 60.00/0, respectively. In the previous reports, all Chinese indigenous pig breeds were identified to have unique initiation codon ATA. Although the effect of Ale on the translation of mtDNA ND2 has not been studied in this study, AlC patterns in mtDNA ND2 will contribute to the maternity test using molecular markers in pig breeding.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.45 no.5
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• pp.695-702
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• 2003

Nucleolus Organizer Regions (NORs) are the specific chromosome sites where ribosomal genes are located and highly expressed. We have applied the AgNOR staining to identify the distribution of NORs in the chromosomes of Korean Cattle. We have also studied the NORs pattern on the cells originated from different breeds, tissues and sex. Peripheral blood from forty-four Korean Cattle and Holstein was cultured for chromosme preparation. The fibroblast culture from biopsied ear skins was also conducted for chromosome analysis. The distribution of NORs was analyzed by sequential Ag staining and G-banding on metaphases of the cells. In Korean Cattle, the NORs are localized on the telomeres of the five chromosome pairs number 2, 3, 4, 11 and 28. The number of NORs per metaphase ranged from 2 to 10 giving a mean value of 5.6. The number of NORs per cell varied among individuals and cells within same individual. The size of NORs also differed in NO-chromosomes. The number of NORs was significantly different between Korean Cattle and Holstein, fibroblasts and lymphocytes, and male and female. However, the distribution and frequency of NORs were similar among the cells regardless of breeds, tissues, and sex.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.483-490
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• 1992

In order to understand the transfer behavior of a particular gene in water environments, kanamycin resistance ($Km^r$) gene was tracked by Southern hybridization with DNA probe in its conjugal transfer. A $Km^r$ natural bacterial isolate and genetically modified microorganisms (GMMs) constructed from the isolate were used as donor for conjugal transfer of the $Km^r$ gene. The transfer frequencies of the $Km^r$ gene from GMM strains were generally 10 to 100 times higher than those from the natural isolate. The conjugants obtained from GMM strains in LB broth had more plasmids newly appeared, and particularly the conjugants in A Wand FW waters revealed more rearrangement in their plasmids as a function of conjugation time. When plasmids of the conjugants obtained in LB broth were Southern hybridized with DNA probe of the $Km^r$ gene, the $Km^r$ plasmids in the conjugants were detected at the same position of the plasmids in donor cells, in spite of the fact that the plasmids were highly rearranged in conjugant cells. But the $Km^r$ plasmids in the donor of DKI and DKC601, and DKC600 were not identified in the conjugants obtained after 50 h conjugation in AW and after 30 h in AW, respectively. The size of the $Km^r$ plasmids showing hybridization signal were a little changed in the conjugants obtained in A Wand FW waters. Therefore, the method of Southern hybridization with DNA probe was proved to be very specific and useful for tracking of particular genes in water environments.