• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
• /
• v.49 no.2
• /
• pp.198-207
• /
• 2016

Tanaka’s snailfish, Liparis tanakae (Gilbert and Burke, 1912), is distributed throughout the coasts of Korea. To clarify the population structure of L. tanakae, we analyzed the morphological and genetic variation among individuals sampled from three localities surrounding the Korean peninsula: Boryeong in the Yellow Sea, Jinhae in the Korea Strait and Pohang in the East Sea. Principal component analysis based on 20 morphometric characteristics revealed two slightly distinct groups (Boryeong vs. Jinhae and Pohang). However, canonical discriminant analysis clearly revealed three groups, separated according to locality. Pairwise differentiation index (F_ST) comparisons based on 762-base pairs mitochondrial cytochrome b gene sequences showed that Boryeong significantly differed from Jinhae and Pohang, but Jinhae and Pohang did not significantly differ from each other. Our findings suggest that Korean L. tanakae comprise at least two groups. Further studies using more sensitive DNA markers, such as microsatellite DNA, are required.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
• /
• v.11 no.3
• /
• pp.133-139
• /
• 2008

Molecular techniques, including restriction fragment length polymorphism(RFLP) and polymerase chain reaction-single strand conformational polymorph isms(PCR-SSCP), were developed to identify salted, dried threadfin(Eleutheronema tetradactylum) and white herring(Ilisha elongata) fish. Using PCR with universal primers, conserved 367-bp fragments of the cytochrome b gene were amplified from fresh fish samples and sequenced. The sequences were then searched for specific restriction sites. The digestion of the PCR products with the endonucleases AvaI, FokI, MboII, and MspI generated RFLP, which was used to identify the commercial products. Similarly, the amplified PCR-SSCP products were developed and the products tested. Overall, similar patterns were found in the majority of the fresh and processed products. Based on the results, both RFLP and PCR-SSCP were useful in determining and validating the authenticity of the fish species used to prepare the commercial salted, dried products. A similar approach can be applied to other species.

• Animal cells and systems
• /
• v.4 no.1
• /
• pp.23-30
• /
• 2000

Horizontal starch gel electrophoresis for 29 populations (n=543) of the wrinkled frog, Rana rugosa, from Korea and Japan was peformed to assess the degree of genic variation and genetic diversity, and to understand the biogeographic pattern of distribution and speciation. A sum of 22 presumptive loci was screened from 17 enzymes and general proteins. Four loci, Aco, Est-3, Me-2, and Pgm, demonstrated high levels of polymorphism. The degree of average genetic variation of R. rugosa was P=22.7% (9.1-40.9%), Ho=0.086 (0.048-0.165) and He=0.090 (0.042-0.168). In the south-eastern region of the Korean peninsula (Chongsong, Yongchon, Ulsan, Kyongju, Pohang, yongdok and Ulchin), a few unique alleles in the Mpi locus were detected and their biogeographic implications were considered. The degree of genetic differentiation among the Korean populations was moderate (S=0.900), whereas the degree of genetic diversity between Korean and Japanese populations was notably high (S=0.687, D=0.293). This result corresponds with the data obtained by the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene sequence (Lee et al., 1999) suggesting that the Korean and Japanese R. rugosa might have evolved a specific level of genetic differentiation since their geographic isolation.

• Animal cells and systems
• /
• v.3 no.1
• /
• pp.79-87
• /
• 1999

Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) from 54 specimens of the blue mussel (Mytilus edulis) species complex sampled from the southern coast of Korea was assayed for polymorphism with a portion of the COIII gene (336 bp). Fifteen haplotypes were found. PAUP, one-step networks, and PHYLIP analyses revealed the presence of two clearly differentiated mitochondrial clades (termed clades B and E), separated by 3.6% of minimum sequence divergence. The distribution pattern of the species appears to be consistent with category II of the phylogeographic pattern sensu (Avise et al., 1987): the presence of two discontinuous and distinct mtDNA genotypes in the same geographic region. This unusual mitochondrial polymorphism was explained by the presence of the Mediterranean species, M. galloprovincialis, possessing mtDNA of both M. galloprovincialis and M. edulis.

• Environmental Mutagens and Carcinogens
• /
• v.25 no.4
• /
• pp.134-142
• /
• 2005

Liver cancer is a leading cause of tumor-related mortality, Diethylnitrosamine (DEN) is one of the most extensively studied hepatic carcinogens to date. In this study, the mRNA expression profile in DEN-induced liver tumors in mice was analyzed using DNA microarrays. We report increased expression of genes that participate in hypoxia response, including metallothionein 1 (Mt1), metallothionein 2 (Mt2), fatty acid synthase (Fasn), transferrin (Trf), adipose differentiation-related Protein (AdfP) and ceruloplasmin (CP), as well as those involved in predisposition and development of cancers, such as cytochrome P450 2A5 (Cyp2a5), alpha 2-HS-glycoprotein (Ahsg) and Jun-B oncogene (Junb). The hepatic iron regulatory peptide, hepcidin (Hampl), was downregulated in DEN-stimulated liver tumors. Expression of tumor suppressor genes, such as tripartite motif protein 13 (Trim13), was decreased under these conditions. The data collectively indicate that DEN-induced tumor development can be exploited as a possible model for liver cancer, since this process involves various genes with important functions in hepatic carcinogenesis.

• Proceedings of the National Institute of Ecology of the Republic of Korea
• /
• v.5 no.2
• /
• pp.55-59
• /
• 2024

The remarkable economic growth achieved in the modern era has revitalized various industries, including pet trade. More than 2,000 species of non-native species have been introduced to South Korea and approximately 7.7 tonnes of alien turtles are imported annually. Turtles belonging to the family Kinosternidae. They are mostly small and popular pets, although they are designated as Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) species. In the present study, we present the first two species of musk turtles found in the wild in South Korea. On April 5, 2023 and July 8, 2023, an eastern musk turtle (Sternotherus odoratus) and a razorbacked musk turtle (Sternotherus carinatus) were captured in Ilsandong-gu, Goyang-si, Gyeonggi-do and Jung-gu, Daejeon, respectively. The carapace length was 88.6 mm for S. odoratus and 105.68 mm for S. carinatus. They were identified based on their morphological characteristics and mtDNA cytochrome b gene. These turtles were found in waterfront areas with over 1.4 million annual visitors. Both sites were found to have threatened amphibians and reptiles. There is an urgent need to continue monitoring and conducting risk assessments for the protection of endemic species in Korea.

• Proceedings of the National Institute of Ecology of the Republic of Korea
• /
• v.5 no.3
• /
• pp.71-75
• /
• 2024

In this review, we compared the success rates of DNA amplification and introduced the efficient non-invasive sampling of fecal samples collected from captive and wild Korean long-tailed gorals (Naemorhedus caudatus) by referring to previous non-invasive studies, including three important references (Kim et al., 2008; Kim, 2021; Kim, 2022). A large difference in PCR success rates in the captive and wild populations was observed for mitochondrial (100 and 70.0%), sex-linked (44.4 and 20.8%), and microsatellite markers (73.9 and 34.8%, respectively). Out of the three types of genetic markers, the mitochondrial maker showed the highest success rate, followed by microsatellite and sex-linked markers. In addition, we estimated two factors that affected the PCR success, including the length of the amplified fragments (long, medium, and short) and the type of primer (universal and specific) in fecal samples from a captive population. The length of the PCR fragment was inversely proportional to the PCR success (5.3, 44.4, and 55.6% for long, medium, and short fragments, respectively), and the specific primer set (100%) was more efficient than the universal primer set (60.0%). This review is fundamental but would be greatly helpful for new non-invasive conservation genetic studies, particularly those that use fecal samples from captive and wild populations of rare endangered species. We recommend beginning conservation genetic experiments using mitochondrial markers and then nuclear markers, such as microsatellite and sex-linked markers, to save time, costs, and labor.

• Toxicological Research
• /
• v.34 no.2
• /
• pp.151-162
• /
• 2018

Anti-diabetes activity of Catharsius molossus (Ca, a type of dung beetle) glycosaminoglycan (G) was evaluated to reduce glucose, creatinine kinase, triglyceride and free fatty acid levels in db mice. Diabetic mice in six groups were administrated intraperitoneally: Db heterozygous (Normal), Db homozygous (CON), Heuchys sanguinea glycosaminoglycan (HEG, 5 mg/kg), dung beetle glycosaminoglycan (CaG, 5 mg/kg), bumblebee (Bombus ignitus) queen glycosaminoglycan (IQG, 5 mg/kg) and metformin (10 mg/kg), for 1 month. Biochemical analyses in the serum were evaluated to determine their anti-diabetic and anti-inflammatory actions in db mice after 1 month treatment with HEG, CaG or IQG treatments. Blood glucose level was decreased by treatment with CaG. CaG produced significant anti-diabetic actions by inhiting creatinine kinase and alkaline phosphatase levels. As diabetic parameters, serum glucose level, total cholesterol and triglyceride were significantly decreased in CaG5-treated group compared to the controls. Dung beetle glycosaminoglycan, compared to the control, could be a potential therapeutic agent with anti-diabetic activity in diabetic mice. CaG5-treated group, compared to the control, showed the up-regulation of 48 genes including mitochondrial yen coded tRNA lysine (mt-TK), cytochrome P450, family 8/2, subfamily b, polypeptide 1 (Cyp8b1), and down-regulation of 79 genes including S100 calcium binding protein A9 (S100a9) and immunoglobulin kappa chain complex (Igk), and 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoenzymeAsynthase1 (Hmgcs1). Moreover, mitochondrial thymidine kinase (mt-TK), was up-regulated, and calgranulin A (S100a9) were down-regulated by CaG5 treatment, indicating a potential therapeutic use for anti-diabetic agent.

• Animal cells and systems
• /
• v.11 no.2
• /
• pp.165-168
• /
• 2007

The nucleotide sequences of a male-specific marker sex determining region Y (SRY) gene and a mitochondrial cytochrome B (CYTB) gene were characterized and analyzed to establish a molecular method for identification of species and sex of Korean roe deer (Capreolus pygargus tianschanicus). Similarity search result of SRY sequences showed very similar result to those reported in Moose (Alces alces) and Reindeer (Rangifer tarandus), both of which had 95.9% similarity in identity. CYTB genes were very similar to those reported in Siberian roe deer (C. pygargus pygargus) which had 98.6% similarity and not to European roe deer (C. capreolus), suggesting that the DNA samples tested were of Siberian roe deer lineage. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based sex typing successfully discriminated between carcasses of male and female roe deer. Males had SRY band on agarose gels and females did not. The result of this molecular sex typing provided similar information with that obtained by genital organ observation. Therefore, this molecular method using male specific marker SRY and mitochondrial CYTB genes would be very useful for identification of the species and sex of the carcass remains of roe deer.

• Molecules and Cells
• /
• v.26 no.1
• /
• pp.81-86
• /
• 2008

RNA interference (RNAi) was performed on several essential genes in the pinewood nematode Bursaphelenchus xylophilus, which causes pine wilt disease. Double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) was delivered to larvae or adult worms by soaking, electroporation, or microinjection. Soaking and electroporation of L2-L3 stage worms in solutions containing dsRNA for essential genes induced over 25% lethality after 5 days, and gene-specific phenotypes were observed. This lethality agreed with significant reductions of the targeted transcripts, as assayed by reverse-transcription coupled with real time PCR. Microinjection was the most efficient route as measured by the hatching rate of F1 embryos, which was reduced by 46%. When adult worms were soaked in dsRNA, lethality was induced in the F1 larvae, revealing the persistence of knockdown phenotypes. The penetrance of the RNAi phenotypes for essential genes was relatively low but consistent, indicating that RNAi should be useful for studying the in vivo functions of B. xylophilus gene products.