• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• 제2권2호
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• pp.101-108
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• 2000

The liverwort Pellia borealis is a diploid, monoecious, allopolypliod species (n=18) that as it was postulated, originated after hybridization and duplication of chromosome sets of two cryptic species: Pellia epiphylta-species N (n=9) and Pellia epiphylla-species 5 (n=9). Our recent results have supported the allopolyploid origin of P.borealis. We have shown that the nuclear genome of P.borealis consists of two nuclear genomes: one derived from P.epiphylla-species N and the other from P.epiphylla-species 5. In this paper we show the origin of chloroplast and mitochondrial genomes in an allopolyploid species P.borealis. To our knowledge there is no information concerning the way of mitochondria and chloroplast inheritance in Brophyta. Using an allopolyploid species of p. borealis as a model species we have decided to look into chloroplast and mitochondrial genomes of P.borealis, P.epiphylla-species N and P.epiphylla-species S for nucleotide sequences that would allow us to differentiate between both cryptic species and to identify the origin of organelle genomes in the alloploid species. We have amplified and sequenced a chloroplast $tRNA^{Leu}$ gene (anticodon UAA) containing an intron that has shown to be highly variable in a nucleotide sequence and used for plant population genetics. Unfortunately these sequences were identical in all three liverwort species tested. The analysis of the nucleotide sequence of chloroplast, an intron containing $tRNA^{Gly}$ (anticodon UCC) genes, gave expected results: the intron nucleotide sequence was identical in the case of both P.borealis and P.epiphyllaspecies N, while the sequence obtained from P.epiphyllasperies S was different in several nucleotide positions. These results were confirmed by the nucleotide sequence of another chloroplast molecular marker the chloroplast, an intron-contaning $tRNA^{Lys}$ gene (anticodon UUU). We have also sequenced mitochondrial, an intron-containing $tRNA^{Ser}$ gene (anticodon GCU) in all three liverwort species. In this case we found that, as in the case of the chloroplast genome, P.borealis mitochondrial genome was inherited from P.epiphylla-species N. On the basis of our results we claim that both organelle genomes of P.borealis derived from P.epiphylla-species N.

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제42권5호
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• pp.379-385
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• 2019

Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) comprise various RNA species, including small ncRNAs and long ncRNAs (lncRNAs). ncRNAs regulate various cellular processes, including transcription and translation of target messenger RNAs. Recent studies also indicate that ncRNAs affect organismal aging and conversely aging influences ncRNA levels. In this review, we discuss our current understanding of the roles of ncRNAs in aging and longevity, focusing on recent advances using the roundworm Caenorhabditis elegans. Expression of various ncRNAs, including microRNA (miRNA), tRNA-derived small RNA (tsRNA), ribosomal RNA (rRNA), PIWI-interacting RNA (piRNA), circular RNA (circRNA), and lncRNA, is altered during aging in C. elegans. Genetic modulation of specific ncRNAs affects longevity and aging rates by modulating established aging-regulating protein factors. Because many aging-regulating mechanisms in C. elegans are evolutionarily conserved, these studies will provide key information regarding how ncRNAs modulate aging and lifespan in complex organisms, including mammals.

• 한국동물생명공학회지
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• 제37권4호
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• pp.218-225
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• 2022

High levels of proinflammatory cytokines have been observed in obese pregnancies. Obesity during pregnancy may increase the risk of various pregnancyrelated complications, with pathogenesis resulting from excessive inflammation. Palmitic acid (PA) is a saturated fatty acid that circulates in high levels in obese women. In our previous study, we found that PA inhibited the proliferation of trophoblasts developing into the placenta, induced apoptosis, and regulated the number of cleaved halves derived from transfer RNAs (tRNAs). However, it is not known how the expression of tRNA-derived stress-induced RNAs (tiRNAs) changes in response to PA treatment at concentrations that induce inflammation in human trophoblasts. We selected concentrations that did not affect cell viability after dose-dependent treatment of HTR8/SVneo cells, a human trophoblast cell line. PA (200 μM) did not affect the expression of apoptotic proteins in HTR8/SVneo cells. PA significantly increased the expression of inflammatory cytokines including interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, IL-8, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α. In addition, 200 μM PA significantly increased the expression of tiRNAs compared to 800 μM PA treatment. These results suggest that PA impairs placental development during early pregnancy by inducing an inflammatory response in human trophoblasts. In addition, this study provides a basis for further research on the association between PA-induced inflammation and tiRNA generation.

• International Journal of Industrial Entomology and Biomaterials
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• 제8권1호
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• pp.51-59
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• 2004

Phylogenetic relationships were analyzed among bumblebees using a portion of mitochondrial (mt) 16S ribosomal RNA (16S rRNA). Eight species of true bumblebees and one species of cuckoo bumblebee (Bombini, Apidae), collected from Korea were included in the analysis. Also, one species of true bumblebee imported from several foreign countries for pollination was included. The length of mt 16S rRNA sequence ranged from 496 bp to 508 bp and sequence divergence ranged from 1.4％ (7 bp) to 15.49％ (77bp). As expected, a high A＋T content was observed (78.5％ on average). According to the phylogeny tree derived from parsimony and maximum likelihood analysis, a monphyletic Bombus species, excluding a single cuckoo bumblebee, Psithyrus coreanus, was obtained, but the bootstrap estimate at the node supporting the monophyletic group was very weak (40％ or 46％), suggesting a very close relationship of the cuckoo bumblebee to the true bumblebee. Within Bombus species belonging to identical subgenera subgeneric specific clustering was formed with high bootstrap values, implying validity of the subgeneric names of each species: Pyrobombus for B. ardens and B. modeatus; Megabombus for B. consobrinus wittenburgi and B. koreanus; and Bombus s. str. for B. ignitus, B. hypocrita sapporoensis, and B. terrestris.

• 미생물학회지
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• 제30권6호
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• pp.466-471
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• 1992

HTLV-I 의 gag-pro 유전자 중첩영역내에서 -1 ribosomal frameshifting 이 일어나는 자리를 결정하기 위하여 gag-pro 중첩영역의 일부를 SP6 promoter 를 가진 백터내에 클로닝하였다. 그 결과 닭의 prelysozyme 에서 유래한 5개의 아미노산을 코드하는 합성유전자와 141 bp 로된 gag-pro 중첩영역의 뒤에 Straphylococcus aureus 의 protein A 유전자단편이 연결된 hybrid 유전자를 보유한 플라스미드를 제작하였다. 이 DNA 클론을 주형으로 SP6 RNA polymerase 의 작용에 의해 한종류의 mRNA 를 다량으로 합성하였다. Invitro 에서 합성된 mRNA 로 무세포계에서 단백질을 합성한 결과 21 kDal 의 단백질이 생성되었고 IgG-Sepharose 를 사용한 affinity chromatography 로 합성된 단백질을 순수하게 정제할 수 있었다. 본연구에서 설명한 in vitro 실험계는 Gag-Pro transframe 단백질의 신속한 정제 및 일차구조의 결정에 유익하게 사용될 것으로 보이며 이와 같은 실험의 결과 mRNA 에서 ribosomal frameshifting 이 일어나는 정확한 site 를 결정할 수 있을 뿐 같은 실험의 결과 mRNA 에서 ribosomal frameshifting 이 일어나는 정확한 site 를 결정할 수 있을 뿐 아니가 pro 유전자의 발현에 필요한 frameshift 를 유도하는 tRNA 의 동정도 가능하게 될 것이다.

• Advances in Traditional Medicine
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• 제5권2호
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• pp.117-123
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• 2005

Dyers woad leaf (Daqingye) is a traditional Chinese medicine commonly used as anti-pyretic, anti-bacterial and anti-viral agent against infectious diseases. The Chinese Pharmacopoeia (2005) records that Dyers woad leaf should be derived from the leaves of Isatis indigotica Fort., but the leaves of Polygonum tinctorium Ait., Baphicacanthus cusia (Nees) Bremek. and Clerodendron cyrtophyllum Turcz. have also been used as substitutes of Dyers woad leaf in different regions of China. The leaf morphologies of these four species show a close resemblance, and based on their morphological appearance, it is difficult to identify them. Here, molecular genetic methods were developed as a target to identify different members of Dyers woad leaf. The 5S-rRNA spacer domain was amplified by polymerase chain reaction from genomic DNAs isolated from I. indigotica, P. tinctorium, B. cusia and C. cyrtophyllum, and the nucleotide sequences showed a great diversity. In addition, random amplification of polymorphic DNA analysis was also used to distinguish the members of Dyers woad leaf. These molecular methods could be used as a tool in authentic identification of Dyers woad leaf.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제48권2호
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• pp.211-219
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• 2024

Background: Recently, plant-derived exosome-like nanoparticles (PDENs) have been isolated, and active research was focusing on understanding their properties and functions. In this study, the characteristics and molecular properties of ginseng root-derived exosome-like nanoparticles (GrDENs) were examined in terms of skin protection. Methods: HPLC-MS protocols were used to analyze the ginsenoside contents in GrDENs. To investigate the beneficial effect of GrDENs on skin, HaCaT cells were pre-treated with GrDENs (0-2 × 10⁹ particles/mL), and followed by UVB irradiation or H₂O₂ exposure. In addition, the antioxidant activity of GrDENs was measured using a fluorescence microscope or flow cytometry. Finally, molecular mechanisms were examined with immunoblotting analysis. Results: GrDENs contained detectable levels of ginsenosides (Re, Rg1, Rb1, Rf, Rg2 (S), Gyp17, Rd, C-Mc1, C-O, and F2). In UVB-irradiated HaCaT cells, GrDENs protected cells from death and reduced ROS production. GrDENs downregulated the mRNA expression of proapoptotic genes, including BAX, caspase-1, -3, -6, -7, and -8 and the ratio of cleaved caspase-8, -9, and -3 in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, GrDENs reduced the mRNA levels of aging-related genes (MMP2 and 3), proinflammatory genes (COX-2 and IL-6), and cellular senescence biomarker p21, possibly by suppressing activator protein-1 signaling. Conclusions: This study demonstrates the protective effects of GrDENs against skin damage caused by UV and oxidative stress, providing new insights into beneficial uses of ginseng. In particular, our results suggest GrDENs as a potential active ingredient in cosmeceuticals to promote skin health.

• 대한의생명과학회지
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• 제9권3호
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• pp.139-144
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• 2003

Since water borne infection causes acute diseases and results in spread of diseases by secondary infection, the prevention is very important. Therefore, it is necessary to have a method that is rapid and effective to monitor pathogenic bacteria in drinking water. In this study, we employed a systematic method, Polymerase Chain Reaction-Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) analysis, to develop an effective monitoring system for possible bacterial contaminants in drinking water. For this purpose, PCR primers were derived from 992 bp region of the 16s rRNA gene that is highly conserved through the different species of prokaryotes. To test whether the PCR primers designed are indeed useful for detecting all the possible microbial contaminants in the water, the primers were used to amplify 16s rRNA regions of different microbial water-borne pathogens such as E. coli, Salmonella, Yersinia, Listeria, and Staphylococcus. As expected, all of tested microorganisms amplified expected size of PCR products indicating designed PCR primers for 16s rRNA indeed can be useful to amplify all different microbial water-borne pathogens in the water. Furthermore, to test whether these 16s rRNA based PCR primers can detect bacterial populations present in the water, water samples taken from diverse sources, such as river, tap, and sewage, were used for amplification. PCR products were for then subjected for cloning into a T-vector to generate a library containing 16s rRNA sequences from various bacteria. With cloned PCR products, RFLP analysis was done using PCR products digested with restriction enzyme such as Hae III to obtain species-specific RFLP profiles. After PCR-RFLP, the bacterial clones which showed the same RFLP profiles were regarded as the same ones, and the clones which showed distinctive RFLP profiles were subsequently subjected for sequence analysis for species identification. By this PCR-RFLP analysis, we were able to reveal diverse populations of bacteria living in water. In brief, in unsterilized natural river water, over 60 different species of bacteria were found. On the other hand, no PCR products were detected in drinking tap-water. The results from this study clearly indicate that the PCR-RFLP-sequence analysis can be a useful method for monitoring diverse, perhaps pathogenic bacteria contaminated in water in a rapid fashion.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• 제62권3호
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• pp.270-280
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• 2024

Trichomoniasis is caused by a sexually transmitted flagellate protozoan parasite Trichomonas vaginalis. T. vaginalis-derived secretory products (TvSP) contain lipid mediators such as leukotriene B₄ (LTB₄) and various cysteinyl leukotrienes (CysLTs) which included LTC₄, LTD₄, and LTE₄. However, the signaling mechanisms by which T. vaginalis-induced CysLTs stimulate interleukin (IL)-8 production in human mast cells remain unclear. In this study, we investigated these mechanisms in human mast cells (HMC-1). Stimulation with TvSP resulted in increased intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and NADPH oxidase 2 (NOX2) activation compared to unstimulated cells. Pre-treatment with NOX2 inhibitors such as diphenyleneiodonium chloride (DPI) or apocynin significantly reduced ROS production in TvSP-stimulated HMC-1 cells. Additionally, TvSP stimulation increased NOX2 protein expression and the translocation of p47^phox from the cytosol to the membrane. Pretreatment of HMC-1 cells with PI3K or PKC inhibitors reduced TvSP-induced p47^phox translocation and ROS generation. Furthermore, NOX2 inhibitors or NOX2 siRNA prevented CREB phosphorylation and IL-8 gene expression or protein secretion induced by TvSP. Pretreatment with a CysLTR antagonist significantly inhibited TvSP-induced ROS production, CREB phosphorylation, and IL-8 production. These results indicate that CysLT-mediated activation of NOX2 plays a crucial role in ROS-dependent IL-8 production in human mast cells stimulated by T. vaginalis-secreted CysLTs. These findings enhance our understanding of the inflammatory response in trichomoniasis and may inform the development of targeted therapies to mitigate this response.

• 한국양식학회지
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• 제17권1호
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• pp.62-68
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• 2004

A cDNA encoding the masu salmon, Oncorhynchus masou, estrogen receptor $\alpha$ (msER$\alpha$) was cloned from the pituitary gland by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). This cDNA contains an open reading frame encoding 513 amino acid residues, and the calculated molecular weight of this protein is about 56,430 Dalton. The amino acid sequences of the DNA binding and ligand binding domains of msER$\alpha$ showed high homology to those of other fish species (84-100%). Reverse transcription PCR analysis showed that the mRNA level of msER$\alpha$ in the pituitary was slightly higher in estradiol-17$\beta$(E2) injected masu salmon than that of control fish. To test the biological activity of msER$\alpha$, the cDNA was ligated to a mammalian expression vector and transfected into a gonadotrope-derived cell line, L$\beta$T2, with a reporter plasmid including estrogen responsive element. Expression of the reporter protein, luciferase, was E2 and msER$\alpha$-dependent. The masu salmon ER$\alpha$ is structurally conserved among teleost species and functions as a transcriptional activator in the pituitary cells.