• BMB Reports
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.217-222
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• 2008

Based on a five-letter model of the 20 amino acids, we propose a new 2-D graphical representation of protein sequence. Then we transform the 2-D graphical representation into a numerical characterization that will facilitate quantitative comparisons of protein sequences. As an application, we construct the phylogenetic tree of 56 coronavirus spike proteins. The resulting tree agrees well with the established taxonomic groups.

• Journal of Veterinary Science
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.12.1-12.11
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• 2021

Background: Bats have been considered natural reservoirs for several pathogenic human coronaviruses (CoVs) in the last two decades. Recently, a bat CoV was detected in the Republic of Korea; its entire genome was sequenced and reported to be genetically similar to that of the severe acute respiratory syndrome CoV (SARS-CoV). Objectives: The objective of this study was to compare the genetic sequences of SARS-CoV, SARS-CoV-2, and the two Korean bat CoV strains 16BO133 and B15-21, to estimate the likelihood of an interaction between the Korean bat CoVs and the human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor. Methods: The phylogenetic analysis was conducted with the maximum-likelihood (ML) method using MEGA 7 software. The Korean bat CoVs receptor binding domain (RBD) of the spike protein was analyzed by comparative homology modeling using the SWISS-MODEL server. The binding energies of the complexes were calculated using PRODIGY and MM/GBGA. Results: Phylogenetic analyses of the entire RNA-dependent RNA polymerase, spike regions, and the complete genome revealed that the Korean CoVs, along with SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2, belong to the subgenus Sarbecovirus, within BetaCoVs. However, the two Korean CoVs were distinct from SARS-CoV-2. Specifically, the spike gene of the Korean CoVs, which is involved in host infection, differed from that of SARS-CoV-2, showing only 66.8%-67.0% nucleotide homology and presented deletions within the RBD, particularly within regions critical for cross-species transmission and that mediate interaction with ACE2. Binding free energy calculation revealed that the binding affinity of Korean bat CoV RBD to hACE2 was drastically lower than that of SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2. Conclusions: These results suggest that Korean bat CoVs are unlikely to bind to the human ACE2 receptor.

• Clinical and Experimental Vaccine Research
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.60-69
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• 2023

Purpose: Although the fast development of safe and effective messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 has been a success, waning humoral immunity has led to the recommendation of booster immunization. However, knowledge of the humoral immune response to different booster strategies and the association with adverse reactions is limited. Materials and Methods: We investigated adverse reactions and anti-spike protein immunoglobulin G (IgG) concentrations among health care workers who received primary immunization with mRNA-1273 and booster immunization with mRNA-1273 or BNT162b2. Results: Adverse reactions were reported by 85.1% after the first dose, 94.7% after the second dose, 87.5% after a third dose of BNT162b2, and 86.0% after a third dose of mRNA-1273. They lasted for a median of 1.8, 2.0, 2.5, and 1.8 days, respectively; 6.4%, 43.6%, and 21.0% of the participants were unable to work after the first, second, and third vaccination, respectively, which should be considered when scheduling vaccinations among essential workers. Booster immunization induced a 13.75-fold (interquartile range, 9.30-24.47) increase of anti-spike protein IgG concentrations with significantly higher concentrations after homologous compared to heterologous vaccination. We found an association between fever, chills, and arthralgia after the second vaccination and anti-spike protein IgG concentrations indicating a linkage between adverse reactions, inflammation, and humoral immune response. Conclusion: Further investigations should focus on the possible advantages of homologous and heterologous booster vaccinations and their capability of stimulating memory B-cells. Additionally, understanding inflammatory processes induced by mRNA vaccines might help to improve reactogenicity while maintaining immunogenicity and efficacy.

• 한국생물공학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2005.10a
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• pp.615-616
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• 2005

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.199-207
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• 2003

The present study examined that in vivo/vitro test is investigated in normotensive sham-operated rats(NSR) and aldosterone-analogue deoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA)-salt hypertensive rats(ADHR) and that the antiliypertensive effect was induced by silver spike point(SSP) electrical stimulation at meridian points(CV-3, -4, Ki-12, SP-6, LR-3, BL-25, -28, -32, -52), specifically, such as aldosterone in 24 hour urine analysis from normal volunteer. The heart weight, the tickness of vascular wall, collagen fiber and the systolic blood pressure were significantly increased in ADHR than that in NSR. The required time of PSS-induced resting tone and the phosphorylation of stress-activated protein kinase/c-Jun N-terminal protein kinase(SAPK/JNK) were significantly increased in ADHR than that in NSR. However, the Kv currents were significantly decreased in ADHR than that in NSR. The current of 1 Hz continue type of SSP electrical stimulation significantly decreased in excretion of urine aldosterone from normal volunteer. These results suggest that the development of aldosterone analogue-induced hypertension is associated with changed heart weight, content of collagen fiber, tickness of vascular wall, blood pressure, resting tone, voltage-dependent K+ current(Kv) and phosphorylation of SAPK/JNK, which directly affects blood pressure. Therefore the hypertension is a risk factor on cerebrovascular disease. Moreover, These results suggest that the SSP electrical stimulation, especially current of 1 Hz continue type, significantly regulates excretion of urine aldosterone from volunteer.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Crop Science Conference
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• 2017.06a
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• pp.258-258
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• 2017

We received 73 wheat resources from CIMMYT for analysis of agricultural characteristics and qualities of them. We sowed 73 lines and 4 Korean varieties in fall and spring to compare differences of wheat traits between fall and spring seeding. The heading and maturity date of fall seeding lines has coming faster average 18 days than spring seeding lines. Fall seeding lines have more number of spike per $m^2$ and grain number of spike. Spike and awn length of spring seeding lines were shorter than fall seeding lines and stem length was variable to varieties in both condition. Protein contents of five of 73 lines, Jokyoung and Jopoom varieties decreased but the others increased. The sedimentation values of 34 lines include Jokyoung and falling number (F/N) of 44 lines include two varieties, Keumkang and Jokyoung, decreased but the others increased, respectively. Particle size was presented that most spring seeding lines were bigger. However, when it sowed in fall, the lightness (L) of wheat flour was lighter. Consequently, we confirmed when it was sowed in spring, agricultural traits and qualities of wheat got weak.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Crop Science Conference
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• 2022.10a
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• pp.124-124
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• 2022

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is the major staple foods and is in increasing demand in the world. The elevated temperature due to changes in climate and environmental conditions is a major factor affecting wheat development and grain quality. The optimal temperature range for winter wheat is between 15~25℃, it is necessary to study the physiological characteristic of wheat according to the elevated temperature. This study presents the effect of elevated temperature on the yield and quality of two Korean bread wheat (Baekkang and Jokyoung) in a temperature gradient tunnel (TGT). Two bread wheat cultivars were grown in TGT at four different temperature conditions, i.e. TO control (near ambient temperature), T1 control+1℃, T2 control+2℃, T3 control+3℃. The period from sowing to heading stage has accelerated, while the growth properties including culm length, spike length and number of spike, have not changed by elevated temperature. On the contrary, the number of grains per spike and grain yield was reduced under T3 condition compared with that of control condition. In addition, the. The grain filling rate and grain maturity also accelerated by elevated temperature (T3). The elevating temperature has led to increasing protein and gluten contents, whereas causing reduction of total starch contents. These results are consistent with reduced expression of starch synthesis genes and increased gliadin synthesis or gluten metabolism genes during late grain filling period. Taken together, our results suggest that the elevated temperature (T3) leads to reduction in grain yield regulating number of grains/spike, whereas increasing the gluten content by regulating the expression of starch and gliadin-related genes or gluten metabolism process genes expression. Our results should be provide a useful physiological information for the heat stress response of wheat.

• The Microorganisms and Industry
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.9-14
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• 1986

We have adopted a genetic approach to identifying those residues and local sequences in a polypeptide chain which play an important role on the folding pathway. Our approach has been to isolate and characterize mutants which specifically alter the folding and subunit association pathway of a polypeptide chain, without altering the native protein. Such mutants distinguish residues involved in the kinetic control of conformation from residues involved in the stability and activity of the native protein. This approach is complementary to the efforts to characterize mutations which alter the stability of the mature protein(6,7,8). It is likely that many residues will have roles in both aspects of the functioning of the polypeptide chain. We thought it likely, however, that at least with large proteins, these aspects might be segregated in different local sequences.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.263-268
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• 2005

Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) causes acute enteritis in pigs of all ages and is often fatal for neonates. In order to develop sweetpotato plants expressing PEDV antigen, we constructed the vector expressing spike gene of PEDV under the control of sweetpotato sporamin promoter or constitutive CaMV 35S promoter. The spike protein region of PEDV was synthesized by PCR and linked to each promoter, Transgenic sweetpotato [Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam. cv. Yulmi] plants were developed from embryogenic calli following Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation. The co-cultured embryogenic calli transferred to selective MS medium containing 1 mg/L 2,4-D, 100 mg/L kanamycin, and 400 mg/L claforan. These embryogenic calli were subcultured to the same selection medium at 3 weeks interval. Kanamycin-resistant calli transferred to hormone-free MS medium with kanamycin gave rise to somatic embryos and then converted into plantlets in the same medium. Southern blot analysis confirmed that the spike gene of PEDV was inserted into the genome of the sweetpotato plants. RT-PCR revealed that the spike gene of PEDV was highly expressed in transgenic sweetpotato plants.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.45 no.1
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• pp.38-43
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• 2000

The environment in which a given genotype is grown may influence its grain quality characteristics. When varieties are $\times$ evaluated over numerous environments, a variety environment interaction usually is observed, but the relative magnitude of environmental(E), genetic(G), and G $\times$ E effects on quality is unclear. In order to determine relative contribution of genotype, environment, and G $\times$ E interaction to the variations observed in grain quality characteristics, 18 Korean wheat cultivars and experimental lines were evaluated in two environments in 1998 and 1999. Correlation coefficients between grain quality and agronomic characteristics were also estimated. The analysis of variance for the optical density obtained by reaction bet- ween gliadin and anti-gliadin polyclonal antibody (AGPab) indicated that gliadin content measured by Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay(ELISA) was significantly in- fluenced by environment and cultivar differences. The significant differences of year and year $\times$ location were also found. The ratio of the variances associated with environmental effects to the variances associated with genetic effect gave relatively greater influence of environmental factor on gliadin content. The different protein content from same genotype grown in different environment might be associated with degree of storage protein accumulations. Significant relationships between ELISA and protein content, yield, ten spike weight, and ten spike number were detected. Polyphenol oxidase (PPO) activity was significantly influenced by year, location, cultivar and year $\times$ location. The variance in grain PPO activities among growing years appeared larger than the variation produced by the cultivar examined. This suggested that the growing environment contributed more to variability in grain PPO concentration.