• Journal of Mushroom
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 2024

Mushrooms play crucial roles as reservoirs of naturally occurring bioactive compounds. Among these, Cordyceps militaris is significant because of its well-established reputation for organoleptic excellence and positive health effects, which have led to its widespread commercialization. In contrast, the key properties of Paecilomyces variotii, an ectomycorrhizal symbiont, has received limited attention. In alignment with current research trends, the study of the mycelia and culture media of these mushrooms hold promise in identifying potential sources of valuable bioactive compounds. In the present study, we investigated C. militaris and P. variotii for their phenolic acids and sterols, assessing antioxidant capacity, anti-inflammatory effects, and anti-proliferative activity. Interestingly, P. variotii mycelia exhibited higher concentrations of ergosterol and phenolic compounds, with comparable levels observed in the fruiting bodies, along with superior antioxidant activity compared to that of C. militaris. In contrast, C. militaris mycelia demonstrated anti-inflammatory effects (which were absent in P. variotii mycelia) and cytotoxicity comparable to, and at times exceeding, that of its fruiting bodies (in contrast to P. variotii). In addition, the species analyzed in this study displayed variations in growth rates and mycelial production, which merit consideration for potential future applications and further study.

• Animal cells and systems
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.315-324
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• 2011

The actiniarian sea anemone, Entacmaea quadricolor, and the scleractinian coral, Alveopora japonica, host symbiotic dinoflagellates belonging to the genus Symbiodinium (Freudenthal). We studied the host-symbiont specificity of these two anthozoan hosts in the northwestern Pacific Ocean. Symbionts within the two hosts were identified using partial large subunit (LSU) ribosomal DNA (rDNA) and complete internal transcribed spacers (ITS) 1 rDNA regions. The host, E. quadricolor, was identified using the partial LSU rDNA molecular marker. Genetic analysis showed that E. quadricolor only harbors dinoflagellates belonging to subclade C1/3 of the genus Symbiodinium. Moreover, no genetic variation was detected among the symbionts of E. quadricolor within the study region (Korea and Japan), even though the two distant sites were separated by more than 1000 km, at collection depths of 1 m in shallow and 13-16 m in deep water. Whilst scleractinian corals host multiple Symbiodinium clades in tropical waters, A. japonica, sampled over a wide geographical range (800 km) within the study region, only hosts Symbiodinium sp. clade F3. The high specificity of endosymbionts in E. quadricolor and A. japonica within the northwestern Pacific Ocean could be accounted for because symbiotic dinoflagellates within the host anemones appear to be acquired maternally, and the Kuroshio Current might affect the marine biota of the northwestern Pacific. However, the consistency of the symbiotic relationships between these two anthozoan hosts and their endosymbionts could change after climate change, so this symbiotic specificity should be monitored.

• ALGAE
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.183-195
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• 2015

The dinoflagellate genus Pelagodinium is genetically classified in distinct sub-clades and subgroups. However, it is difficult to determine whether this genetic diversity represents intra- or interspecific divergence within the genus since only the morphology of the type strain of the genus Pelagodinium, Pelagodinium bei, is available. An isolate associated with the genus Pelagodinium from Shiwha Bay, Korea, was recently cultured. This isolate was clustered with 3 to 4 strains from the Atlantic Ocean, Mediterranean Sea, and Indian Ocean. This cluster was distinct from the subgroup more closely associated with P. bei. The morphology of the isolate was analyzed using optical and scanning electron microscopy and was almost identical to that of P. bei except that this isolate had two series of amphiesmal vesicles (AVs) in the cingulum, unlike P. bei that has one series. When the pigment compositions of the isolate and P. bei were analyzed using high-performance liquid chromatography, these two strains had peridinin as a major accessory pigment and their pigment compositions were almost identical. In addition, the swimming behaviors of these two strains were very similar. The reexamination of the type culture of P. bei revealed two series in the cingulum as for the isolate. The new findings on the number of series of AVs in the cingulum, the pigment composition, and the swimming behaviors suggest that P. bei and the isolate are conspecific despite their genetic divergence. This study provides a basis to further understand the molecular classification within Pelagodinium combining genetic, morphological, pigment, and behavioral data.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.796-808
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• 2018

The intracellular bacterium Wolbachia pipientis is widespread in arthropods. Recently, possibilities of novel Wolbachia-mediated hosts, their distribution, and natural rate have been anticipated, and the coconut leaf beetle Brontispa longissima (Gestro) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), which has garnered attention as a serious pest of palms, was subjected to this interrogation. By adopting Wolbachia surface protein (wsp) and multilocus sequence type (MLST) genotypic systems, we determined the Wolbachia infection density within host developmental stages, body parts, and tissues, and the results revealed that all the tested samples of B. longissima were infected with the same Wolbachia strain (wLog), suggesting complete vertical transmission. The MLST profile elucidated two new alleles (ftsZ-234 and coxA-266) that define a new sequence type (ST-483), which indicates the particular genotypic association of B. longissima and Wolbachia. The quantitative real-time PCR analysis revealed a higher infection density in the eggs and adult stage, followed by the abdomen and reproductive tissues, respectively. However, no significant differences were observed in the infection density between sexes. Moreover, the wsp and concatenated MLST alignment analysis of this study with other known Wolbachia-mediated arthropods revealed similar clustering with distinct monophyletic supergroup B. This is the first comprehensive report on the prevalence, infection dynamics, and phylogeny of the Wolbachia endosymbiont in B. longissima, which demonstrated that Wolbachia is ubiquitous across all developmental stages and distributed in the entire body of B. longissima. Understanding the Wolbachia infection dynamics would provide useful insight to build a framework for future investigations, understand its impacts on host physiology, and exploit it as a potential biocontrol agent.

• The Korean Journal of Mycology
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• v.25 no.3 s.82
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• pp.161-166
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• 1997

Occurrence of Hypoxylon truncatum, known as a symbiont of white jelly mushroom, was first noted and described in Korea. Two stromatal forms reported in North American collections of H. truncatum sensu Miller were also observed in Korean collections. Based on evidences from other studies, polymorphic patterns seen in six enzyme digestions of nuclear Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS) regions of Korean isolates indicated that the two stromatal forms were genetically distinct. Because there was a clear association of stromatal morphology with genetic differences, the different stromatal forms might be different species. In addition, clear species concept on the species H. truncatum would provide aids in selecting proper strain for cultivation of white jelly mushrooms.

• Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.30-35
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• 1992

Two strains J2W and J2Y which were isolated from soil can utilize polyvinyl alcohol(PVA) as a sole carbon source. PVA was utilized symbiotically by the mixed culture of these two strains which could not utilize PVA in each respective pure culture. Effect of degree of PVA polymerization on the its utilization was examed, and there was remarkable difference among three kind of PVA(PVA 500, 1500 and 2000). The reconstruction of there two strains was carried out with other symbionts Pseudomonas sp. PW and Pseudomonas sp. G5Y which were able to utilize PVA. PVA utilization occured in each remixed culture of J2Y strain with Pseudomonas sp. PW J2W strain with Pseudomonas sp. G5Y, respectively. Identification of bacteria was based on morphological and biological chatacteristics, J2W and J2Y strain were similar to a strain of Pseudomonas pseudimallei and Xanthomonas campestris, respectively.

• Mycobiology
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.458-466
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• 2015

Oak tree death caused by symbiosis of an ambrosia beetle, Platypus koryoensis, and an ophiostomatoid filamentous fungus, Raffaelea quercus-mongolicae, has been a nationwide problem in Korea since 2004. In this study, we surveyed the yeast species associated with P. koryoensis to better understand the diversity of fungal associates of the beetle pest. In 2009, a total of 195 yeast isolates were sampled from larvae and adult beetles (female and male) of P. koryoensis in Cheonan, Goyang, and Paju; 8 species were identified by based on their morphological, biochemical and molecular analyses. Meyerozyma guilliermondii and Candida kashinagacola were found to be the two dominant species. Among the 8 species, Candida homilentoma was a newly recorded yeast species in Korea, and thus, its mycological characteristics were described. The P. koryoensis symbiont R. quercusmongolicae did not show extracelluar CM-cellulase, xylanase and avicelase activity that are responsible for degradation of wood structure; however, C. kashinagacola and M. guilliermondii did show the three extracellular enzymatic activities. Extracelluar CM-cellulase activity was also found in Ambrosiozyma sp., C. homilentoma, C. kashinagacola, and Candida sp. Extracelluar pectinase activity was detected in Ambrosiozyma sp., C. homilentoma, Candida sp., and M. guilliermondii. All the 8 yeast species displayed compatible relationships with R. quercus-mongolicae when they were co-cultivated on yeast extract-malt extract plates. Overall, our results demonstrated that P. koryoensis carries the yeast species as a symbiotic fungal associate. This is first report of yeast diversity associated with P. koryoensis.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.50 no.6
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• pp.562-573
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• 2017

Some symbiotic characteristics of native Korean Rhizobium leguminosarum biovar viciae were analysed to get some informations desirable for cultivation of hairy vetch (Vicia villosa Roth) using its symbiont in Korea. The size of indigenous populations of R. leguminosarum biovar viciae was higher in seven upland soils showing $1.7{\times}10^2{\sim}5.8{\times}10^4cells\;g{\cdot}soil^{-1}$, which appeared to be 10% and 37% higher for cultivated and uncultivated soils of hairy vetch, respectively, than seven paddy soils with $1.7{\times}10^2{\sim}1.7{\times}10^4cells\;g{\cdot}soil^{-1}$. In symbiotic potentials, however, the yields of hairy vetch treated with 10-fold-diluted ($10^{-1}$) inoculum and 1000-fold-diluted ($10^{-3}$) one was 11.2% and 8.8% more, respectively, in paddy than upland. Hairy vetch inoculated with either strain KHR 106 from Sacheon or strain KHR 120 from Yesan among native Korean R. leguminosarum biovar viciae isolates was of similar yield increment of 16% (p < 0.05) in upland soils with native R. leguminosarum biovar viciae of $5.8{\times}10cells\;g{\cdot}soil^{-1}$. In case of coinoculation of the two strains, however, the yields was not significantly increased. In especial, isolate KHR 106, KHR 120, and KHR 122 from Suwon, which has also good symbiotic effectiveness, showed different protein profile patterns each other. As a result, hairy vetch is possibly able to use atmospheric nitrogen through symbiotic relationship with diverse native R. leguminosarum biovar viciae in Korean arable lands. For safe and good production of hairy, however, the use of superior strains with high symbiotic effectiveness and competitiveness will be desirable.

• Korean Journal of Organic Agriculture
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.103-118
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• 2022

Photorhabdus is a bacterial symbiont of entomopathogenic nematodes of the genus Heterorhabditis in the family Heterorhabditidae. Photorhabdus is known to have nematicidal activity in addition to insecticidal activity. P. temperata isolated from Korean indigenous H. megidis Gwangju strain also produced high control efficacy against root-knot nematode Meloidogyne incognita and root-lesion nematode Pratylenchus penetrans. P. temperata has drawn interest as a potential bionematicide for the control of root-knot nematodes thereby. For the registration as an organic agricultural material, the toxicity of P. temperata was assessed by the acute toxicity test in carp (Cyprinus carpio) and acute oral and dermal toxicity tests in Sprague-Dawley rat (Rattus norvegicus) in compliance with the guidelines of the Rural Development Administration (RDA). In the acute toxicity test in fish, neither lethality nor abnormal responses of carp were observed. Body length and weight of carp and changes in DO concentrations and pH values were not significantly different between the treated group and the untreated control. In the acute oral and dermal toxicity tests, clinical signs, abnormal behavior, mortality, and pathological findings were not observed in all the experimental rats. The weight increment of all rats was normal. Acute toxicity results of P. temperata in fish and rats belonged to categories III, IV, and IV of RDA, respectively. Toxicity results of the present study indicated that P. temperata could be a safe and promising bionematicide against root-knot nematodes and root lesion nematode.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.27-41
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• 2024

In this study, we evaluated productivity, soil physiochemical properties, and soil microbial characteristics in Kimchi cabbage(Brassica rapa subsp. pekinensis) cultivation within a highland environment during summer. Specifically, we examined the effect of different cropping systems, namely monoculture and rotation with soybean, over an 8-year cropping period. The results of our investigation revealed that significant differences were absent in terms of yield and soil physiochemical properties between the two cropping systems. However, microbial characteristics exhibited distinctive patterns. Bacterial diversity was significantly higher in the rotation system that in the monoculture, whereas fungal diversity demonstrated a preference for rotation although the result was not significant. Our findings identified the presence of Bradyrhizobium stylosanthis, a nitrogen-fixation symbiont, as an indicator ASV (amplicon sequence variant) in the rotation system, where it displayed significantly higher abundances. These observations suggest a potential positive effect of the rotation system on nitrogen fixation. Notably, throughout the cultivation period, both cropping systems did not exhibit critical disease incidences. However, Fusarium oxysporum, a well-known pathogen responsible for inducing fusarium wilt disease in Kimchi cabbage, was detected with significantly higher abundance in the monoculture system. This finding raises concerns about the potential risk associated with Kimchi cabbage cultivation in a long-term monoculture system.