• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.25 no.5
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• pp.745-752
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• 2015

Tuberculosis (TB) is the most common mycobacterial infection in developing countries, requiring a rapid, accurate, and well-differentiated detection/diagnosis. For the rapid detection and discrimination of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTC) from non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM), a novel, simple, and primer-combined single-step multiplex PCR using three primer pairs (6110F-6110R, 1081F-1081R, and 23SF-23SR; annealing on each of IS6110, IS1081, and 23S rDNA targets), hereafter referred to as a triplex PCR, has been developed and evaluated. The expected product for IS6110 is 416 bp, for IS1081 is 300 bp, and for 23S rDNA is 206 bp by single PCR, which was used to verify the specificity of primers and the identity of MTC using DNA extracted from the M. tuberculosis H37Rv reference strain (ATCC, USA) and other mycobacteria other than tuberculosis (MOTT) templates. The triplex PCR assay showed 100% specificity and 96% sensitivity; the limit of detection for mycobacteria was ~100 fg; and it failed to amplify any target from DNA of MOTT (50 samples tested). Of 307 blinded clinical samples, overall 205 positive M. tuberculosis samples were detected by single PCR, 142 by conventional culture, and 90 by AFB smear methods. Remarkably, the triplex PCR could subsequently detect 55 positive M. tuberculosis from 165 culture-negative and 115 from 217 AFB smear-negative samples. The triplex PCR, targeting three regions in the M. tuberculosis genome, has proved to be an efficient tool for increasing positive detection/discrimination of this bacterium from clinical samples.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.11 no.6
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• pp.940-945
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• 2001

Symbiobacterium toebii has been previously reported as a novel commensal thermophile exhibiting a commensal interaction with thermophilic Geobacillus sp. SK-1. We investigated the distribution of this commensal thermophile in various soils using molecular methods, such as quantitative PCR and terminal restriction fragment polymorphism analysis. Based on a nested competitive quantitative PCR the 16S rDNA of the commensal thermophile was only detected in compost soils at about $1.0{\times}10^4$ cpoies per gram of soil, corresponding to $0.25{\times}10^4$ cells per gram of soil. However, in an enrichment experiment at $60^{\circ}C$, about $1.0{\times}10^8$ copies of 16S rDNA molecules were detected per ml of enriched culture broth for all the soils, and more than 0.1 mM indole accumulated as the product of commensal bacterial growth. When incubated at $30^{\circ}C$, neither the 16S rDNA of the commensal bacterium nor any indole accumulation was detected. Accordingly, even though the 16S rDNA of the bacterium was only detected in the compost soils by a nested PCR, the presence of the 16S rDNA molecules of commensal thermophile and accumulation of indole in all the enriched cultures appeared to indicate that the commensal thermophile is widely distributed in various soils.

• The Microorganisms and Industry
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.2-6
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• 1999

151 strains which belong to the gens Rhizopus were isolated from 750 specimens collected through all over South Korea, and 19 species of the genus, all of which are unrecorded in Korea, were identified according to the modified Takeda-Yamamoto's classification key. The species identified are as follows ; R. nigricans, R.formosaensis, R.achlamydosporus, R.tritici, R.javanicus, R.cuiuniang, R liquefaciens, R.chungruoensis, R.acidus, R.chinensis, R.delemar, R.hangchow, R.japonicus, R.arrhizus, R.bahrnenesis, R.tonrinensis, and R.shanghaiensis.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.266-274
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• 2000

Understanding of microbial community structure in soil-root system is necessary to use beneficial soil and rhizosphere microbes for improvement of crop production and biocontrol. The knowledge of behavior and function of microbes in soil-root system plays a key role for the application of beneficial inocula. Because the majority of the intact bacteria in soil are unable to grow on nutrient media, both culturable and nonculturable bacteria have to be studied together. In our study, culture-independent survey of bacterial community in the soil-root system of red pepper fields was conducted by the sequence analysis of three universal clone libraries of genes which code for small-subunit rRNA (rDNA). Universal small subunit rRNA primers were used to amplify DNA extracted from each sample and PCR products were cloned into pGEM-T. Out of 27 clones sequenced, 25 clones were from domain bacteria. Two of the rDNA sequences were derived from eukaryotic organelles. Within the domain bacteria, several kingdoms were represented : the Proteobacteria (16 clones). Cytophyga-Flexibacter-Bacteroides group (2 clones). the high G+C content gram-positive group(1 clone) and 4 unknown clones.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.179-185
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• 2021

Vancomycin response regulator (VncR) is a pneumococcal response regulator of the VncRS two-component signal transduction system (TCS) of Streptococcus pneumoniae. VncRS regulates bacterial autolysis and vancomycin resistance. VncR contains two different functional domains, the N-terminal receiver domain and C-terminal effector domain. Here, we investigated VncR C-terminal DNA binding domain (VncRc) structure using a crystallization approach. Crystallization was performed using the micro-batch method. The crystals diffracted to a 1.964 Å resolution and belonged to space group P212121. The crystal unit-cell parameters were a = 25.71 Å, b = 52.97 Å, and c = 60.61 Å. The structure of VncRc had a helix-turn-helix motif highly similar to the response regulator PhoB of Escherichia coli. In isothermal titration calorimetry and size exclusion chromatography results, VncR formed a complex with VncS, a sensor histidine kinase of pneumococcal TCS. Determination of VncR structure will provide insight into the mechanism by how VncR binds to target genes.

• Mycobiology
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.94-99
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• 2012

During an investigation of fungi from an elm tree infested with bark beetles in Korea, one isolate, DUCC401, was isolated from elm wood. Based on morphological characteristics and phylogenetic analysis of the internal transcribed spacer and 28S rDNA (large subunit) sequences, the isolate, DUCC401, was identified as Mariannaea samuelsii. Mycelia of the fungus grew faster on malt extract agar than on potato dextrose agar and oatmeal agar media. Temperature and pH for optimal growth of fungal mycelia were 25oC and pH 7.0, respectively. The fungus demonstrated the capacity to degrade cellobiose, starch, and xylan. This is the first report on isolation of Mariannaea samuelsii in Korea.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.47-54
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• 2010

Objectives : The original plant species of Schisandrae Fructus (O-mi-ja) is prescribed as Schisandra chinensis $B_{AILL.}$, in Korea, but S. chinensis $B_{AILL.}$ and S. sphenanthera $R_{EHD.}$ et $W_{ILS.}$ in China. Moreover, fruit of several other species in genus Schisandra also have been used as the same herbal medicines. To develop a reliable method for correct identification of Schisandrae Fructus and to evaluate the phylogenetic relationship of S. chinensis and its related species, we analyzed internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequences of nuclear ribosomal DNA (nrDNA). Methods : Twenty-four plant samples of three Schisandra species and one Kadsura species, S. chinensis $B_{AILL.}$, S. spenanthera $R_{EHD.}$ et $W_{ILS.}$, S. nigra $M_{ax.}$ and Kadsura japonica $D_{UNAL}$ were collected from each different native habitate and farm in Korea and China. The nrDNA-ITS region of each samples were amplified using ITS1 and ITS4 primer and nucleotide sequences were determined after sub-cloning into the pGEM-Teasy vector. Authentic marker nucleotides were estimated by the analysis of ClastalW based on the entire nrDNA-ITS sequence. Results : In comparative analysis of the nrDNA-ITS sequences, we found specific nucleotide sequences including indels (insertions and deletions) and substitutions to distinguish C. chinensis, S. spenanthera, S. nigra, and K. japonica. These sequence differences at corresponding positions are avaliable nucleotide markers to determine the botanical origin of O-mi-ja. Moreover, we evaluated the phylogenetic relationship of four plant species by the analysis of nrDNA-ITS sequences. Conclusions : These marker nucleotides would be useful to identify the official herbal medicines by the providing of definitive information that can identify each plant species and distinguish it from unauthentic adulterants for O-mi-ja.

• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.21-25
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• 2010

This study was undertaken to develop species-specific forward and universal reverse PCR primers for the detection of Streptococcus sobrinus. These primers target the variable regions of the 16S ribosomal RNA coding gene (rDNA) and their specificity was tested against 10 strains of S. sobrinus strains and 20 different species of oral bacteria using serial dilutions of the purified genomic DNA of S. sobrinus ATCC $33478^T$. Our data show that species-specific amplicons were obtained from all the S. sobrinus strains tested but not from other species. Both direct and nested PCR could detect as little as 400 pg and 4 fg of genomic DNA from S. sobrinus ATCC $33478^T$, respectively. This result suggests that these PCR primers are highly specific and sensitive and applicable to the detection of S. sobrinus.

• Mycobiology
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.17-25
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• 2010

The common split-gilled mushroom, Schizophyllum commune is found throughout the world on woody plants. This study was initiated to evaluate conditions for favorable vegetative growth and to determine molecular phylogenetic relationship in twelve different strains of S. commune. A suitable temperature for mycelial growth was obtained at $30^{\circ}C$. This mushroom grew well in acidic conditions and pH 5 was the most favorable. Hamada, glucose peptone, Hennerberg, potato dextrose agar and yeast malt extract were favorable media for growing mycelia, while Lilly and glucose tryptone were unfavorable. Dextrin was the best and lactose was the less effective carbon source. The most suitable nitrogen sources were calcium nitrate, glycine, and potassium nitrate, whereas ammonium phosphate and histidine were the least effective for the mycelial growth of S. commune. The genetic diversity of each strain was investigated in order to identify them. The internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions of rDNA were amplified using PCR. The size of the ITS1 and ITS2 regions of rDNA from the different strains varied from 129 to 143 bp and 241 to 243 bp, respectively. The sequence of ITS1 was more variable than that of ITS2, while the 5.8S sequences were identical. A phylogenetic tree of the ITS region sequences indicated that the selected strains were classified into three clusters. The reciprocal homologies of the ITS region sequences ranged from 99 to 100%. The strains were also analyzed by random amplification of polymorphic DNA (RAPD) with 20 arbitrary primers. Twelve primers efficiently amplified the genomic DNA. The number of amplified bands varied depending on the primers used or the strains tested. The average number of polymorphic bands observed per primer was 4.5. The size of polymorphic fragments was obtained in the range of 0.2 to 2.3 kb. These results indicate that the RAPD technique is well suited for detecting the genetic diversity in the S. commune strains tested.

• Journal of Species Research
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.162-168
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• 2022

Compared to marine dinoflagellates, freshwater species are rarely recorded in Korea. In the present study, we isolated a freshwater dinoflagellate, Palatinus, from the Paldang Reservoir, Korea, in December 2021. The overall cell shape was ovoid, and the cell size was 34.3 ㎛ in length (25.8-39.5 ㎛) and 28.4 ㎛ in width (21.5-34 ㎛). An eyespot was usually observed near the sulcal region. The Kofoidian plate formula of the species was determined to be 4', 2a, 7", 6c, 5s, 5''', and 2''''. Apical pore complex was not observed. However, variations in the cingular plate caused by the fusion of 3C and 4C were observed. Analyses of 28S rDNA sequences revealed that the unidentified species is 100% similar to Palatinus apiculatus, and clustered together in the same lineage in the phylogenetic tree (100% bootstrap value). Our findings confirmed that the isolated dinoflagellate is Palatinus apiculatus, which was discovered for the first time in Korean freshwaters.