• Genomics & Informatics
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.29-33
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• 2016

A retron is a bacterial retroelement that encodes an RNA gene and a reverse transcriptase (RT). The former, once transcribed, works as a template primer for reverse transcription by the latter. The resulting DNA is covalently linked to the upstream part of the RNA; this chimera is called multicopy single-stranded DNA (msDNA), which is extrachromosomal DNA found in many bacterial species. Based on the conserved features in the eight known msDNA sequences, we developed a detection method and applied it to scan National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) RefSeq bacterial genome sequences. Among 16,844 bacterial sequences possessing a retron-type RT domain, we identified 48 unique types of msDNA. Currently, the biological role of msDNA is not well understood. Our work will be a useful tool in studying the distribution, evolution, and physiological role of msDNA.

• The Korean Journal of Zoology
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.83-84
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• 1968

An attempt was made to estimate the possible homology between human and bacterial DNA by the method of DNA-agar gel hybridization. HeLa DNA was embedded in the agar and $^14C-DNA$ Xanthomonas pelargonii was used as bacterial DNA for the sheared fragments. No homology between human and bacterial DNA was detected. If homology exists at all, it can be estimated from the sensitivity of the method and assuming some 1,000 nucleotide pairs per cistron, the not more than $2\times10^5$ base pairs or 200 bacterial cistrons would be preserved in human DNA, corresponding to less than 0.01 per cent of the total human genome.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.307-316
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• 2015

Beginning from the recognition of FtsZ as a bacterial tubulin homolog in the early 1990s, many bacterial cytoskeletal elements have been identified, including homologs to the major eukaryotic cytoskeletal elements (tubulin, actin, and intermediate filament) and the elements unique in prokaryotes (ParA/MinD family and bactofilins). The discovery and functional characterization of the bacterial cytoskeleton have revolutionized our understanding of bacterial cells, revealing their elaborate and dynamic subcellular organization. As in eukaryotic systems, the bacterial cytoskeleton participates in cell division, cell morphogenesis, DNA segregation, and other important cellular processes. However, in accordance with the vast difference between bacterial and eukaryotic cells, many bacterial cytoskeletal proteins play distinct roles from their eukaryotic counterparts; for example, control of cell wall synthesis for cell division and morphogenesis. This review is aimed at providing an overview of the bacterial cytoskeleton, and discussing the roles and assembly dynamics of bacterial cytoskeletal proteins in more detail in relation to their most widely conserved functions, DNA segregation and coordination of cell wall synthesis.

• The Plant Pathology Journal
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.57-61
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• 1999

Xanthomonas campestris pv. glycines causes bacterial pustule disease on susceptible soybean leaves and produces a bacteriocin, named glycinecinA, against most xanthomonads including Xanthomonas campestris pv. vesicatoria. One of the 5 isolated DNA regions responsible for bacteriocin production, a 1.7 kb DNA region for the glycinecinA gene, was used as a probe to detect the presence of the homolog DNA in other bacterial strains. Among 55 bacterial strains tested, only X. campestris pv. glycines showed the positive signal with glycinecinA DNA. Two oligomers, heu2 and heu4, derived from a glycinecinA DNA were used to carry out the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis with chromosomal DNA from 55 different bacterial strains including 24 different strains of X. campestris pv. glycines, 9 different pathovars of xanthomonads, and other 22 bacterial strains of different genus and species. By separation of the PCR products on agarose gel, a 0.86 kb DNA fragment was specifically detected when X. campestris pv. glycines was present in the amplification assay. The 0.86 kb fragment was not amplified when DNA from other bacteria was used for the assay. Southern analysis with glycinecinA DNA showed that the PCR signal was obtained with X. campestris pv. glycines isolates from various geographic regions and soybean cultivars. Therefore, the 1.7 kb DNA region for the glycinecinA gene can be used for the pathovar-specific probe for the DNA hybridization and the primers heu2 and heu4 can be used for the pathovar-specific primers for the PCR analysis to detect X. campestris pv. glycines.

• Genomics & Informatics
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.47.1-47.13
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• 2022

Klebsiella pneumoniae is a gram-negative bacterium that is known for causing infection in nosocomial settings. As reported by the World Health Organization, carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae, a category that includes K. pneumoniae, are classified as an urgent threat, and the greatest concern is that these bacterial pathogens may acquire genetic traits that make them resistant towards antibiotics. The last class of antibiotics, carbapenems, are not able to combat these bacterial pathogens, allowing them to clonally expand antibiotic-resistant strains. Most antibiotics target essential pathways of bacterial cells; however, these targets are no longer susceptible to antibiotics. Hence, in our study, we focused on a hypothetical protein in K. pneumoniae that contains a DNA methylation protein domain, suggesting a new potential site as a drug target. DNA methylation regulates the attenuation of bacterial virulence. We integrated computational-aided drug design by using a bioinformatics approach to perform subtractive genomics, virtual screening, and fingerprint similarity search. We identified a new potential drug, koenimbine, which could be a novel antibiotic.

• Journal of Haehwa Medicine
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.9-16
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• 2006

Objectives : This study was designed to evaluate the clinical effects of herb medicine and acupuncture therapy on chronic bacterial prostatitis. Method : A clinical observation was made on two patients with chronic bacterial prostatitis diagnosed with DNA analysis. They were treated with herb medicine and acupuncture therapy. Before and after treatment we measured National Institutes of Health Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index(NIH-CPSI) and WBC counts on expressed prostatic secretion(EPS). Results : According to DNA analysis, Streptococcus mitis and Veillonella was proved to be the cause for chronic bacterial prostatitis for each patients. After treatment, NIH-CPSI score improved from severe to mild, and WBC counts on EPS decreased considerably from many to under 10. Conclusion : The present result suggest that oriental medical therapy has effect on chronic bacterial prostatitis. Further clinical study about chronic bacterial prostatitis, and research on herbal medicine sensitive to each bacterium causing chronic bacterial prostatitis is needed.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.213-219
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• 2004

The bacterial community of water stream, soil and guano in Gossi cave was examined by using PCR amplified the 16S rDNA-denaturing gradient gel electrophoyesis (DGGE). In this study, the genetic diversity and the similarity of bacterial community between open area and non - open area toy cave tour were investigated, and the seasonable variation pattern was compared each other. DGGE is attractive technique, as it sepayate same length dsDNA according to sequence variation typical 16S rDNA genes. The diversity and similarity of bacterial community in cave was analyzed by GC341f and PRUN518r primer sets foy amplification of V3 region of eubacteria 16S rDNA. The specific DGGE band profile of the cave water gives the possibility that the specific bacterial cell can be adapting to the specific cave environment and living in the cave. The DGGE band profiles of all samples with guano were compared and analyzed by image analyzer, in which mutual band profile was compared to be and the band intensity of guano was the highest. From these result, it is thought that the guano was main nutrient source and influenced on the community structure of the cave environment where is nutritionally limited. Pseudomonas sp. NZ060, Pseudomonas pseudoalcaligenes, uncultured Variovorax sp. and soli bacterium NS7 were identified to be on some sample from analysing DNA sequence of some DGGE band.

• Journal of Microbiology
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.11-17
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• 2000

A new method was developed for the rapid analysis of diverse bacterial species in the natural environment. Our method is based on PCR-single-strands-conformation polymorphism (PCR-SSCP) and selective isolation technique of single-stranded DNA. Variable V3 fragments of 16S rDNA were amplified by PCR with bacterial 16S rDNA primers, where one of the primers was biotinylated at the 5'-end. The biotinylated strands of the PCR products were selectively isolated by using streptavidin paramagnetic particles and a magnetic stand, to prevent SSCP analysis producing heteroduplexes from heterogeneous DNA samples. The selected strands were separated by electrophoresis on a polyacrylamide gel, and detected by silver staining. Analysis of PCR products from 8 bacterial strains demonstrated their characteristic DNA band patterns. In addition, changes in the structure of the bacterial community and species diversity in the microcosm treated with phenol could be monitored. After 3 weeks of incubation, phenol and its intermediate, 2-hydroxy-muconic-semialdehyde, were degraded by indigenous bacteria. These dominating bacterial populations were identified as strong bands on an SSCP gel. Therefore, this study provides useful tools for microbial community analysis of natural habitats.

• Journal of Microbiology
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.327-334
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• 2003

This study employed two PCR-based 16S rDNA approaches, amplified rDNA restriction analysis (ARDRA) and denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE), to characterize the bacterial community structure in groundwater. Samples were collected from groundwater for the use by private residences, as well as for industrial and agricultural purposes, in Ansan City. Each PCR product was obtained by PCR with eubacteria 16S rDNA and variable V3 region specific primer sets. After amplification, the 16S rDNA PCR products were digested with 4-base site specific restriction endonucleases, and the restriction pattern analyzed. The genetic diversity and similarity of the groundwater bacterial community was analyzed by eubacteria universal primer sets for the amplification of variable V3 regions of the bacterial 16S rDNA. The result of the bacterial community analysis, by ARDRA and DGGE, revealed the same pattern. The highest diversity was found in groundwater from site G1, which was used in residences. In the DGGE profile, a high intensity band was sequenced, and revealed to be Pseudomonas sp. strain P51.

• Environmental Mutagens and Carcinogens
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.34-38
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• 1999

Fumonisin B1 is a secondary metabolite of Fusarium moniliforme, a contaminant of corn and corn product. Fumonisin B1 has been shown to be responsible for major toxicological effects of the fungus in rats, horses, and pigs. Fumonisin B1 induced λ DNA fragmentation, which was increased with incubation time, reducing agent NADPH and metal ion (Cu2+). The DNA damage was inhibited by dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) or mannitol as radical scavenger for free radicals. DNA fragmentation, induced by fumonisin B1 in the presence of 1 mM NADPH and 0.1 mM CuCl2, was inhibited by 100 mM DMSO. By the in vitro reaction of fumonisin B1 with supercoiled plasmid pBR322 DNA, plasmid DNA was relaxed, eventually linearized in the agarose gel electrphoresis. From rifampicin sensitive E. coli CSH138 in bacterial mutagenesis system, the rifampicin resistant E. coli mutants were obtained by fumonisin B1. These results suggest that fumonisin B1 may be a possible environmental mutagen in bacterial mutagen assay system.