• The Plant Pathology Journal
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• 제37권2호
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• pp.99-114
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• 2021

Tan spot of wheat, caused by Pyrenophora tritici-repentis (Ptr), results in a yield loss through chlorosis and necrosis of healthy leaf tissue. The major objective of this study was to compare gene expression in resistant and susceptible wheat cultivars after infection with Ptr ToxA-producing race 2 and direct infiltration with Ptr ToxA proteins. Greenhouse experiments included exposure of the wheat cultivars to pathogen inoculum or direct infiltration of leaf tissue with Ptr-ToxA protein isolate. Samples from the experiments were subjected to RNA sequencing. Results showed that ToxA RNA sequences were first detected in samples collected eight hours after treatments indicating that upon Ptr contact with wheat tissue, Ptr started expressing ToxA. The resistant wheat cultivar, in response to Ptr inoculum, expressed genes associated with plant resistance responses that were not expressed in the susceptible cultivar; genes of interest included five chitinases, eight transporters, five pathogen-detecting receptors, and multiple classes of signaling factors. Resistant and susceptible wheat cultivars therefore differed in their response in the expression of genes that encode chitinases, transporters, wall-associated kinases, permeases, and wound-induced proteins, among others. Plants exposed to Ptr inoculum expressed transcription factors, kinases, receptors, and peroxidases, which are not expressed as highly in the control samples or samples infiltrated with ToxA. Several of the differentially expressed genes between cultivars were found in the Ptr resistance QTLs on chromosomes 1A, 2D, 3B, and 5A. Future studies should elucidate the specific roles these genes play in the wheat response to Ptr.

• 생약학회지
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• 제52권2호
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• pp.69-76
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• 2021

Cannabis sativa is an important industrial plant utilized to produce fiber, oil, and medicinal ingredients. A chemotype of cannabis is divided into "Drug type" with predominance of tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA) and "Fiber type" with cannabidiolic acid (CBDA). To develop molecular markers for the discrimination of these two types, nucleotide sequences of THCA synthase and CBDA synthase as well as their pseudogenes were retrieved from the recently published cannabis genome in chromosome scale. Gene-specific SNPs were discovered by multiple alignment of these sequences, and 2 dominant marker sets from each gene were designed for selective amplification. Our markers successfully identified "Drug type" and "Fiber type" cannabis plants as well as forensic samples including processed materials. Our molecular markers will provide a fast and efficient system for molecular-based identification of the cannabis plant.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• 제49권3호
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• pp.193-206
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• 2022

Astringent persimmon (Diospyros kaki Thunb.) is an important fruit crop in Korea; it possesses significant medicinal potential. However, knowledge regarding the pathogens affecting this crop, particularly, viruses and viroids, is limited. In the present study, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and high-throughput transcriptome sequencing (HTS) were used to investigate the viruses and viroids infecting astringent persimmons cultivated in Korea. A one-step multiplex RT-PCR (mRT-PCR) method for the simultaneous detection of the pathogens was developed by designing species-specific primers and selecting the primer pairs via combination and detection limit testing. Seven of the sixteen cultivars tested were found to be infection-free. The RT-PCR and HTS analyses identified two viruses and one viroid in the infected samples (n = 51/100 samples collected from 16 cultivars). The incidence of single infections (n = 39/51) was higher than that of mixed infections (n = 12/51); the infection rate of the Persimmon cryptic virus was the highest (n = 31/39). Comparison of the monoplex and mRT-PCR results using randomly selected samples confirmed the efficiency of mRT-PCR for the identification of pathogens. Collectively, the present study provides useful resources for developing disease-free seedlings; further, the developed mRT-PCR method can be extended to investigate pathogens in other woody plants.

• Proceedings of the National Institute of Ecology of the Republic of Korea
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• 제2권3호
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• pp.210-218
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• 2021

Recently, pest-resistant living modified (LM) crops developed using RNA interference (RNAi) technology have been imported into South Korea. However, the potential adverse effects of unintentionally released RNAi-based LM crops on non-target species have not yet been reported. Coccinella septempunctata, which feeds on aphids, is an important natural enemy insect which can be exposed to the double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) produced by RNAi-based LM plants. To assess the risk of ingestion of Snf7 dsRNA by C. septempunctata, we first identified the species through morphological analysis of collected insects. A method for species identification at the gene level was developed using a specific C. septempunctata 12S rRNA. Furthermore, an experimental model was devised to assess the risk of Snf7 dsRNA ingestion in C. septempunctata. Snf7 dsRNA was mass-purified using an effective dsRNA synthesis method and its presence in C. septempunctata was confirmed after treatment with purified Snf7 dsRNA. Finally, the survival rate, development time, and dry weight of Snf7 dsRNA-treated C. septempunctata were compared with those of GFP and vATPase A dsRNA control treatments, and no risk was found. This study illustrates an effective Snf7 dsRNA synthesis method, as well as a high-concentration domestic insect risk assessment method which uses dsRNA to assess the risk of unintentional released of LM organisms against non-target species.

• 대한약침학회지
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• 제26권3호
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• pp.265-275
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• 2023

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of fruit juices on Multi-Drug Resistant (MDR) bacterial pathogens involved in Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs) and Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) among tribal women in the district Anuppur, Madhya Pradesh, India. Methods: Fresh juices of lemon (Citrus limon), amla/Indian gooseberry (Phyllanthus emblica), pineapple (Ananas comosus), mosambi/sweet lime (Citrus limetta), orange (Citrus sinensis), kiwi (Actinidia deliciosa), and pomegranate (Punica granatum) fruits were evaluated for in vitro antibacterial activity against bacterial pathogens involved in UITs and STIs among tribal women. Physico-chemical analysis of fresh fruits was also carried out by measuring the pH, moisture, protein, fat, crude fibre, carbohydrate, and ascorbic acid content. Results: Lemon and amla juice showed better antibacterial activity against the pathogens as compared to other juices. MIC results fruit juices against UTIs and STIs pathogens vary depending on the specific pathogen and juice chemical constituents. The physico-chemical analysis showed that the moisture content was highest in mosambi (90%), followed by orange (87%). Ascorbic acid content was found highest in amla (540 mg/100 g), followed by kiwi (90.3 mg/100 g). Pomegranate showed highest concentration of carbohydrate (15.28 g/100 g), fat (1.28 g/100 g), and protein (1.65 g/100 g). Lemon juice had lowest pH of 2.20, followed by amla 2.67. Conclusion: The lemon juice showed highest antibacterial activity against MDR bacterial pathogens involved in UTIs and STIs among tribal women in district Anuppur, Madhya Pradesh, India. The low pH of lemon may be responsible for its high antibacterial activity as compared to other juices.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제33권9호
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• pp.736-745
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• 2023

노화란 세포 및 생리 기능이 점진적으로 손상되는 복잡한 과정이다. 알츠하이머, 동맥경화 및 갱년기와 같은 노화와 관련된 질병은 노화가 진행이 되면서 발생된다. 노화와 관련된 질환은 다양한 원인에 의해 발생된다. 그 중 유전적인 변화 없이 유전자 발현을 조절하는 후성유전의 변화는 노화, 그리고 노화와 관련된 질환의 발생에 중요한 조절자로 알려져있다. 이 리뷰에서는 후성유전의 변화가 노화 및 노화와 관련된 질병의 발전과 진행에 어떠한 역할을 하는지에 대해 서술하였다. 노화 중에 일어나는 유전적 변화의 분자적 기전과 이러한 변화가 노화와 관련된 질병에 미치는 영향, 특히 노화와 관련된 질환과 관련된 유전자 발현 양식을 조절하는 RNA 메틸화, DNA 메틸화 및 miRNA에 대해 중점적으로 초점을 맞추었다.

• Mycobiology
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• 제50권5호
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• pp.389-398
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• 2022

Endophytic fungi are promising sources for the production of podophyllotoxin-an important anticancer compound, replacing depleted medical plants. In this study, the endophytes associated with Dysosma difformis-an ethnomedicinal plant species were isolated to explore novel sources of podophyllotoxin. Fifty-three endophytic fungi were isolated and identified by morphological observation and ITS-based rDNA sequencing, assigning them to 27 genera in 3 divisions. Fusarium was found the most prevalent genus with a colonization frequency of 11.11%, followed by Trametes (9.26%) and Penicillium (7.41%). Phylogenetic trees were constructed for the endophytic fungi community in two collection sites, Ha Giang and Lai Chau, revealing the adaptation of the species to the specific tissues and habitats. Cytotoxic activity of endophytic fungal extracts was investigated on cancer cell lines such as SK-LU-1, HL-60, and HepG2, demonstrating strong anti-cancer activity of six isolates belonging to Penicillium, Trametes, Purpureocillium, Aspergillus, and Ganoderma with IC₅₀ value of lower than 10 ㎍/mL. The presence of podophyllotoxin was indicated in Penicillium, Trametes, Aspergillus and for the first time in Purpureocillium and Ganoderma via high-performance liquid chromatography, which implied them as a potential source of this anticancer compound.

• 식물병연구
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• 제29권1호
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• pp.94-99
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• 2023

Blueberry red ringspot virus (BRRSV) and blueberry scorch virus (BlScV) are included in the quarantine virus list managed by the Korean Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency. A multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay with an internal control was developed for the simultaneous detection of both viruses. The specific primers used here were designed based on the highly conserved regions of the genomic sequences of each virus, obtained from the National Center for Biotechnology Information nucleotide databases. The primers were designed to amplify a partial sequence within coat protein (CP) for detecting BRRSV and a partial sequence within the CP-16 kDa for detecting BlScV. 18S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) was used as internal control, and the primer set used in a previous study was modified in this study for detecting 18S rRNA. Each conventional PCR using the BRRSV, BlScV, and 18S rRNA primers exhibited a sensitivity of approximately 1 fg plasmid DNA. The multiplex PCR assay using the BRRSV, BlScV, and 18S rRNA primers was effective in simultaneously detecting the two viruses and 18S rRNA with a sensitivity of 1 fg plasmid DNA, similar to that of conventional PCR assays. The multiplex PCR assay developed in this study was performed using 14 blueberry cultivars grown in South Korea. BRRSV and BlScV were not detected, but 18S rRNA was all detected in all the plants tested. Therefore, our optimized multiplex PCR assay could simultaneously detect the two viruses and 18S rRNA in field samples collected from South Korea in a time-efficient manner. This approach could be valuable in crop protection and plant quarantine management.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• 제48권1호
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• pp.44-51
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• 2023

Background: Aptamers are currently being used in various fields including medical treatments due to their characteristics of selectively binding to specific molecules. Due to their special characteristics, the aptamers are expected to be used to remove radionuclides from a large amount of liquid radioactive waste generated during the decommissioning of nuclear power plants. The radiological effects on the aptamers should be evaluated to ensure their integrity for the application of a radionuclide removal technique. Materials and Methods: In this study, Monte Carlo N-Particle transport code version 6 (MCNP6) and Monte Carlo damage simulation (MCDS) codes were employed to evaluate the radiological effects on the aptamers. MCNP6 was used to evaluate the secondary electron spectrum and the absorbed dose in a medium. MCDS was used to calculate the DNA damage by using the secondary electron spectrum and the absorbed dose. Binding experiments were conducted to indirectly verify the results derived by MCNP6 and MCDS calculations. Results and Discussion: Damage yields of about 5.00×10^-4 were calculated for 100 bp aptamer due to the radiation dose of 1 Gy. In experiments with radioactive materials, the results that the removal rate of the radioactive ⁶⁰Co by the aptamer is the same with the non-radioactive ⁵⁹Co prove the accuracy of the previous DNA damage calculation. Conclusion: The evaluation results suggest that only very small fraction of significant number of the aptamers will be damaged by the radioactive materials in the liquid radioactive waste.

• 한국작물학회:학술대회논문집
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• 한국작물학회 2022년도 추계학술대회
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• pp.294-294
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• 2022

To date, there have been no reports on the cloning and characterization of a gene encoding SQS from Amaranthus, although there have been some reports on methods of extracting and purifying squalene from Amaranthus seeds. In this study, we monitored the expression pattern of the amaranth SQS gene in seeds at different developmental stages and in different tissues. The transcript expression pattern of the SQS gene was investigated using total RNA isolated from seeds at different stages of development. There were low levels of SQS transcripts at the early stage of seed development, and the levels remained low until the middle developmental stage. The expression of SQS increased rapidly to reach a peak at the mid-late developmental stage, and then declined dramatically. This pattern of expression was consistent with the results of RT-PCR analyses. All RNA samples generated a fragment of the expected size (183-bp). The amaranth SQS was expressed at low levels during the initial to middle stages of seed development, and its expression level increased at the mid-late development stage. Also The tissue-specific expression of amaranth SQS was determined by quantifying its mRNA in total RNA isolated from the leaves, petioles, stems, and roots of seedlings at the four- and six-leaf stages. Using qRT-PCR and RT-PCR analysis, we detected amaranth SQS transcripts in some of the tissues at the six-leaf stage, but in none of the tissues from plants at the four-leaf stage. SQS transcripts accumulated in almost equal amounts in stems and roots, while a lower level accumulated in leaves and petioles during seedling development at the four- to six-leaf stages. This study provides useful information about the molecular characterization of the SQS clone isolated from grain amaranth. A basic understanding of these characteristics will contribute to further studies on the amaranth SQS.