• Molecules and Cells
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.347-363
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• 2009

The 15,389-bp long complete mitogenome of the endangered red-spotted apollo butterfly, Parnassius bremeri (Lepidoptera: Papilionidae) was determined in this study. The start codon for the COI gene in insects has been extensively discussed, and has long remained a matter of some controversy. Herein, we propose that the CGA (arginine) sequence functions as the start codon for the COI gene in lepidopteran insects, on the basis of complete mitogenome sequences of lepidopteran insects, including P. bremeri, as well as additional sequences of the COI start region from a diverse taxonomic range of lepidopteran species (a total of 53 species from 15 families). In our extensive search for a tRNA-like structure in the A+T-rich region, one $tRNA^{Trp}$-like sequence and one $tRNA^{Leu}(UUR)$-like sequence were detected in the P. bremeri A+T-rich region, and one or more tRNA-like structures were detected in the A+T-rich region of the majority of other sequenced lepidopteran insects, thereby indicating that such features occur frequently in the lepidopteran mitogenomes. Phylogenetic analysis using the concatenated 13 amino acid sequences and nucleotide sequences of PCGs of the four macrolepidopteran superfamilies together with the Tortricoidea and Pyraloidea resulted in the successful recovery of a monophyly of Papilionoidea and a monophyly of Bombycoidea. However, the Geometroidea were unexpectedly identified as a sister group of the Bombycoidea, rather than the Papilionoidea.

• Journal of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.65 no.2
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• pp.121-124
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• 2021

RNA molecules which bind to the G-rich sequence in the 5'-UTR RNA which plays an important role in expression of N-ras, were selected. The secondary structures of five selected RNA aptamers including primer sequence were found by the CLC RNA workbench ver. 4.2 program (www.clcbio.com) and investigated with RNA structural probes such as RNase T1 which has specificity for a G in single-stranded region, RNase V1 specific for double strand and nuclease S1 specific for single strand. The generalized secondary structure model was proposed and characterized. It was composed of a central long double strand region flanked by single strand region at both end sides. The double strand region had an internal single-strand region and bulges. The single strand loop in the right side was composed of four or five nucleotides.

• International Journal of Industrial Entomology and Biomaterials
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• v.46 no.2
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• pp.41-54
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• 2023

The blue-tailed damselfly, Ischnura elegans Van der Linden, 1820 (Odonata: Coenagrionidae), is a climate-sensitive indicator species in South Korea. In this study, we sequenced the complete mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) of I. elegans collected from South Korea for subsequent population genetic analysis, particularly to trace population movements in response to climate change. The 15,963 base pair (bp)-long complete mitogenome of I. elegans has typical sets of genes including a major non-coding region (the A+T-rich region), and an arrangement identical to that observed in ancestral insect species. The ATP6, ND3 and ND1 genes have the TTG start codon, which, although rare, is the canonical start codon for animal mitochondrial tRNA. The A/T content was 71.4% in protein-coding genes, 72.1% in tRNAs, 72.9% in the whole genome, 74.7% in srRNA, 75.3% in lrRNA, and 83.8% in the A+T-rich region. The A+T-rich region is unusually long (1,196 bp) and contains two subunits (192 bp and 176-165 bp), each of which is tandemly triplicated and surrounded by non-repeat sequences. Comparison of the sequence divergence among available mitogenomes of I. elegans, including the one from the current study, revealed ND2 as the most variable gene, followed by COII and COI, suggesting that ND2 should be targeted first in subsequent population-level studies. Phylogenetic reconstruction based on all available mitogenome sequences of Coenagrionidae showed a strong sister relationship between I. elegans and I. senegalensis.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers
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• v.11 no.6
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• pp.991-1000
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• 1987

Existence of triple flames in a lean-rich concentration field is studied both experimentally and theoretically using large activation energy asymptotic technique adopting counterflow system as a model problem. Experiment shows that in triplet system of a lean and a rich premixed flame separated by a diffusion flame, either lean or rich premixed flame merges with diffusion flame as stretch is increased, such that transition boundary between 3-flame and 2-flame exists. The region in which 3-flame can exist forms an island within rich-lean concentration fields for large stretch, where as it is extends to the line of (.OMEGA.$_{0}$/.OMEGA.$_{F}$)$_{R}$=0 or (.OMEGA.$_{F/}$.OMEGA.$_{0}$)$_{L}$=0 for small stretch. Theoretical results show the qualitative agreement with experiment and the existence of limiting stretch over which 3-flame can not exist.t.t.t.t.t.t.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society for Bioinformatics Conference
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• 2004.11a
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• pp.77-85
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• 2004

A significant portion (about 8% in human genome) of mammalian mRNA sequences contains AU(Adenine and Uracil) rich elements or AREs at their 3' untranslated regions (UTR). These mRNA sequences are usually stable. ARE motifs are assorted into three classes. The importance of AREs in biology is that they make certain mRNA unstable. We analyzed the occurrences of AREs and Alu, and propose a possible mechanism on how human mRNA could acquire and keep A REs at its 3' UTR originated from Alu repeats. Interspersed in the human genome, Alu repeats occupy 5% of the 3' UTR of mRNA sequences. Alu has poly-adenine (poly-A) regions at the end that lead to poly -thymine (poly-T) regions at the end of its complementary Alu. It has been discovered that AREs are present at the poly -T regions. In the all ARE's classes, 27-40% of ARE repeats were found in the poly -T region of Alu with mismatch allowed within 10% of ARE's length from the 3' UTRs of the NCBI's reference m RNA sequence database. We report that Alu, which has been reported as a junk DNA element, is a source of AREs. We found that one third of AREs were derived from the poly -T regions of the complementary Alu.

• BMB Reports
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.500-506
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• 2005

HOX11 encodes a homeodomain-containing transcription factor which directs the development of the spleen during embryogenesis. While HOX11 expression is normally silenced through an unknown mechanism in all tissues by adulthood, the deregulation of HOX11 expression is associated with leukemia, such as T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. The elucidation of regulatory elements contributing to the molecular mechanism underlying the regulation of HOX11 gene expression is of great importance. Previous reports of HOX11 regulatory elements mainly focused on the 5'-flanking region of HOX11 on the chromosome related to transcriptional control. To expand the search of putative cis-elements involved in HOX11 regulation at the post-transcriptional level, we analyzed HOX11 mRNA 3'-untranslated region (3'UTR) and found an AU-rich region. To characterize this AU-rich region, in vitro analysis of HOX11 mRNA 3'UTR was performed with human RNA-binding protein HuR, which interacts with AU-rich element (ARE) existing in the 3'UTR of many growth factors' and cytokines' mRNAs. Our results showed that the HOX11 mRNA 3'UTR can specifically bind with human HuR protein in vitro. This specific binding could be competed effectively by typical ARE containing RNA. After the deletion of the AU-rich region present in the HOX11 mRNA 3'UTR, the interaction of HOX11 mRNA 3'UTR with HuR protein was abolished. These findings suggest that HOX11 mRNA 3'UTR contains cis-acting element which shares similarity in the action pattern with RE-HuR interactions and may involve in the post-transcriptional regulation of the HOX11 gene.

• International Journal of Industrial Entomology and Biomaterials
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.1-6
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• 2001

This paper reports a few characteristics of seven insect mitochondrial genomes sequenced completely (Bombyx mori, Drosophila melanogaster, D. yakuba, Apis mellifera, Anopheles gambiae, A. quadrimaculatus, and Locusta migratoria). Comparative analysis of complete mt genome sequences from several species revealed a number of interesting features (base composition, gene content, A+T-rich region, and gene arrangement, etc) of insect mitochondrial genome. The properties revealed by our work shed new light on the organization and evolution of the insect mitochondrial genome and more importantly open up the way to clearly aimed experimental studies for understanding critical roles of the regulatory mechanisms (transcription and translation) in mitochondrial gene expression.

• BMB Reports
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.15-20
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• 2001

One of the innate immune reactions in invertebrates is the pro-phenoloxidase (pro-PO) activation system that is involved in the generation of superoxide, melanin synthesis, and the subsequent sequestration of foreign matter entering the hemocoel of the invertebrates. However, the molecular mechanism of this biological reaction is still obscure. To expand our understanding of the biological roles of the pro-PO activation system in invertebrates, we performed a yeast two-hybrid screening by using three regions of pro-PO as bait and a yeast two-hybrid cDNA library from Tenebrio molitor larvae as prey We isolated a novel partial cDNA clone that encodes a glycine-rich protein that interacted with the active phenoloxidase (termed phenoloxidase interacting protein, POIP). POIP consists of two domains: One is an N-terminal unique domain and the other is a C-terminal glycine-rich domain. The C-terminal glycine-rich domain showed sequential homology with those of insect antifungal proteins. Also, the yeast two-hybrid screen in a reverse orientation (using POIP as bait) yielded PO, suggesting that the PO-POIP interaction is specific. By using a 315 bP PCR fragment of the N-terminal unique region of POIP, we cloned the full-length cDNA of POIP from the Tenebruo cDNA library constructed by using E. coli injected larvae. The interaction analysis between PO, and a truncated fragment lacking the N-terminal unique region of POIP, indicated that the N-terminal unique region is necessary for interaction between PO and POIP. The expression level of the POIP mRNA is increased by bacterial injection into T. molitor larvae. This suggests that POIP might be engaged in the humoral defense reaction.

• International Journal of Industrial Entomology and Biomaterials
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.55-64
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• 2022

Bombyx shini Park & Sohn, 2002 (Lepidoptera: Bombycidae), which was listed as an endemic species in South Korea has recently been renamed as the East Asian silk moth Rotunda rotundapex Miyata & Kishida, 1990 (Lepidoptera: Bombycidae). In this study, we sequenced the complete mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) of the R. rotundapex to announce genomic characteristics and to clarify its validity with a new name. The 15,294-bp long complete mitogenome comprises a typical set of genes [13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 2 rRNA genes, and 22 tRNA genes] and one major noncoding, A + T-rich region, with an arrangement identical to that observed in most lepidopteran mitogenomes. The A/T content of the whole mitogenome was 79.22%; however, it varied among the regions/genes as follows: A + T-rich region, 91.62%; srRNA, 84.67%; lrRNA, 83.01%; tRNAs, 81.43%; and PCGs, 77.46%. Phylogenetic analyses of 35 species in the Bombycoidea superfamily showed the sister relationship between the families Sphingidae and Bombycidae s. str., with the higher nodal support [bootstrap support (BS) = 78%]. The Saturniidae was placed as the sister to the two families, but the nodal support for this relationship was low (BS = 53%). Current R. rotundapex was placed together with previously reported con-species with the highest nodal support, forming a separate clade from Bombyx, validating that B. shini can have a new genus name, Rotunda. However, the Korean R. rotundapex showed a substantial sequence divergence at 5.28% to that originated from an individual of type locality Taiwan in 1,459-bp of COI sequences. Considering such a high sequence divergence an additional study, which includes morphological and DNA barcoding data from further extensive distributional range maybe is needed for further robust taxonomic conclusion.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.622-627
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• 2002

Diphtheria toxin repressor (DtxR) binds to approximately 30 to 35-bp regions containing an interrupted 9-bp inverted repeat within a 19-bp core sequence. The core sequence is fairly conserved and critical for DtxR binding. The flanking regions that are consisted of 5 to 8 more of nucleotides from the core are also required for DtxR binding. The nucleotides in both flanking regions are A-T rich. To examine whether the A-T nucleotides in both flanking regions from the core have significant roles for DtxR binding, a DNA fragment was constructed based on the diphtheria tox promoter/operator, and DNA fragments with substitution of A and T nucleotides In the flanking regions to G and C were also constructed. To assess the effect of these substitutions on binding of DtxR and repressibility by DtxR, $\beta$-galactosidase activity from lacZ fused to the region was assessed. Gel mobility shift of the region by purified DtxR was also examined. The DNA fragments containing the mutations in the flanking regions still exhibited repression and mobility shift with DtxR. The core segment with the mutation is still, therefore, recognized by DtxR. Nonetheless, the results from the assays indicated that the substitution significantly decreased repression of the operator by DtxR in vivo under high-iron condition and decreased binding of DtxR to the operator. These results suggest that A and T nucleotides fur both flanking regions are preferred for the binding of DtxR.