• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제14권9호
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• pp.5507-5512
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• 2013

Objective: To investigate the correlation between ERCC1 expression levels in tumor tissue and peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) from patients with gastric cancer and assess the relationship between PBL DNA repair rate (DRR) and the efficacy of platinum chemotherapy. Methods: A total of 53 patients with gastric cancer receiving surgery and 20 controls were studied. ERCC1 protein expression in tumour tissue and PBL were determined by immunohistochemical staining. The PBL DRRs of 47 advanced patients and 20 controls were estimated by comet assay. Results: The positive expression rates of ERCC1 were 67. 9%, 56. 6% and 10.0% in tumour tissues, PBLs of gastric cancer patients, and PBLs of the control group. PBL ERCC1 expression correlated with that in tissue (${\chi}^2$=15. 463, p=0.000). Pearson contingency coefficient=0.475). DRRs of cancer patients by tail length (TL) (Z=4. 662, p=0.000) and tail moment (TM) (Z=3. 827, p=0.000) were significantly lower than that of control group. When TL was applied as an indicator, the correlation between DRR and chemotherapy efficacy was significant (Spearman rank correlation r=0.327, p=0.032). Patients with low levels of DRR in PBL presented better short-term efficacy of chemotherapy than those with high levels of DRR. Conclusions: The ERCC1 expression in PBLs may indirectly reflect ERCC1 expression in gastric cancer tissues. Compared with non-cancer populations, patients with gastric cancer may have lower DNA repair capacity. DRR in PBL may predict the short-term efficacy of platinum-based chemotherapy for patients with advanced gastric cancer.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• 제47권4호
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• pp.337-344
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• 2009

In a previous study, we reported our discovery of Acanthamoeba contamination in domestic tap water; in that study, we determined that some Acanthamoeba strains harbor endosymbiotic bacteria, via our molecular characterization by mitochondrial DNA restriction fragment length polymorphism (Mt DNA RFLP). Five (29.4%) among 17 Acanthamoeba isolates contained endosymbionts in their cytoplasm, as demonstrated via orcein staining. In order to estimate their pathogenicity, we conducted a genetic characterization of the endosymbionts in Acanthamoeba isolated from domestic tap water via 16S rDNA sequencing. The endosymbionts of Acanthamoeba sp. KA/WP3 and KA/WP4 evidenced the highest level of similarity, at 97% of the recently published 16S rDNA sequence of the bacterium, Candidatus Amoebophilus asiaticus. The endosymbionts of Acanthamoeba sp. KA/WP8 and KA/WP12 shared a 97% sequence similarity with each other, and were also highly similar to Candidatus Odyssella thessalonicensis, a member of the $\alpha$-proteobacteria. The endosymbiont of Acanthamoeba sp. KA/WP9 exhibits a high degree of similarity (85-95%) with genus Methylophilus, which is not yet known to harbor any endosymbionts. This is the first report, to the best of our knowledge, to show that Methylophilus spp. can live in the cytoplasm of Acanthamoeba.

• 한국약용작물학회지
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• 제11권4호
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• pp.311-315
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• 2003

This study was carried out to compare chromosomal characteristics between Atractylodes japonica and A macrocephala. Cytogenetic analysis was conducted based on karyotype analysis and physical mapping using fluorescence in situ hybridization. As a result of karyotype analysis by feulgen staining, somatic chromosome numbers of A. japonica and A. macrocephala were 2n=24. The length. of the mitotic metaphase chromosomes of A. japonica ranged from $0.70\;to\;1.60{\mu}m$ with a total length. of $12.11{\mu}m$ and the homologous chromosome complement comprised six metacentrics, five submetacentrics and one subtelocentrics. On the other hand, the length of the mitotic metaphase chromosomes of A. macrocephala ranged from $0.90\;to\;2.35{\mu}m$ with a total length of $16.58{\mu}m$ and the homologous chromosome complement comprised seven metacentrics and five submetacentrics. The total length of A. japonica chromosomes was shorter than that of A. macrocephala, but A. japonica had one subtelocentrics (chromosomes 4) different from A. macrocepha1a. chromosomes. The F1SH technique using 17S and 5S rDNA was applied to metaphase chromosomes. The signals for 17S rDNA were detected on the telomeric regions of chromosomes 4 and 5 in both A japonica and A. macrocephala. The 5S rDNA signal was found in the short arm of chromosome 1.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제24권6호
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• pp.463-472
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• 2020

Direct reprogramming, also known as a trans-differentiation, is a technique to allow mature cells to be converted into other types of cells without inducing a pluripotent stage. It has been suggested as a major strategy to acquire the desired type of cells in cell-based therapies to repair damaged tissues. Studies related to switching the fate of cells through epigenetic modification have been progressing and they can bypass safety issues raised by the virus-based transfection methods. In this study, a protocol was established to directly convert fully differentiated fibroblasts into diverse mesenchymal-lineage cells, such as osteoblasts, adipocytes, chondrocytes, and ectodermal cells, including neurons, by means of DNA demethylation, immediately followed by culturing in various differentiating media. First, 24 h exposure of 5-azacytidine (5-aza-CN), a well-characterized DNA methyl transferase inhibitor, to NIH-3T3 murine fibroblast cells induced the expression of stem-cell markers, that is, increasing cell plasticity. Next, 5-aza-CN treated fibroblasts were cultured in osteogenic, adipogenic, chondrogenic, and neurogenic media with or without bone morphogenetic protein 2 for a designated period. Differentiation of each desired type of cell was verified by quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction/western blot assays for appropriate marker expression and by various staining methods, such as alkaline phosphatase/alizarin red S/oil red O/alcian blue. These proposed procedures allowed easier acquisition of the desired cells without any transgenic modification, using direct reprogramming technology, and thus may help make it more available in the clinical fields of regenerative medicine.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• 제38권3호
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• pp.221-233
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• 2013

담즙산은 지방의 흡수와 콜레스테롤의 항상성을 조절하는 유전자의 전사에 관여하는 필수 콜레스테롤의 생성물이다. 담즙산 합성유도체인 HS-1200이 여러 가지 암세포에서 세포자멸사(apoptosis)를 유도한다는 것이 알려져 있다. 본 연구는 사람혀 편평세포암종세포(SCC25 cells)에서 담즙산 합성유도체인 HS-1200과 대표적인 항암제인 cisplatin의 병용처리 후 세포자멸사 증가효과가 있는지 알아보기 위해 수행하였다. HS-1200과 cisplatin의 병용처리가 단독처리에 비해서 효과적인 세포생존율 감소가 있는지 확인하기 위해서 MTT법을 시행하였고, 세포자멸사의 유도와 증가를 알기 위해서는 DNA 전기영동법, Hoechst 염색법, DNA hypoploidy법 을 사용하였다. 그리고 세포자멸사에 관계하는 단백질의 발현 변화와 세포내에서의 이동을 밝혀내기 위해서 Western blot 분석과 면역형광 염색법을 수행하였다. 더 나아가서 proteasome 활성도와 사립체막 전위 변화를 측정하였다. 본 연구에서는 HS-1200과 cisplatin을 병용처리한 SCC25 세포에서 핵의 농축, DNA분절, MMP와 proteasome 활성도의 감소, Bax의 증가와 Bcl-2의 감소, DNA양의 감소, cytochrome c의 세포질로의 유리, AIF와 DFF40(CAD)의 핵으로의 이동, caspase-9, caspase-7, caspase-3, PARP 그리고 DFF45(ICAD)의 활성화와 같은 다양한 세포자멸사 증거를 보였다. 반면에 상기 물질들에 단독처리 된 SCC25 세포에서는 세포자멸사 현상이 거의 없었다. 24시간 동안 $25{\mu}M$의 HS-1200, $4{\mu}g/ml$의 cisplatin 을 각기 단독처리 한 결과에서는 세포자멸사를 거의 유도하지 못했으나, 병용처리한 결과에는 아주 탁월하고 명확한 세포자멸사의 유도를 보였다. 그러므로 본 실험결과는 HS-1200과 cisplatin 의 병용요법이 사람구강편평세포암종 환자를 위해 새로운 치료전략으로서의 가능성을 보여준다고 생각한다.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• 제45권6호
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• pp.911-916
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• 2003

돼지 Duroc 품종의 mitochondria DNA D-loop전체 유전자를 증폭하기 위하여 많은 동물에서 고도로 상동성이 높은 tRNA-Pro와 tRNA-Phe 염기서열 일부를 이용하여 oligonucleotide primer를 제작하였다. 그 결과 Duroc 품종의 D-loop 전체 유전자는 1,145 base pairs 였으며, 그 중간위치에 10bp의 Sus Scrofa-specific sequence (TACACGTGCG)가 10개 존재하고 있었다. 돌연변이 검출을 위하여 가장 변이가 심한 지역을 primer 제작하여 345 bp의 DNA 단편을 증폭하였으며, Single Stranded Conformation Polymorphism(SSCP) 분석은 8% polyacrylamide gel에서 200 V, 16시간 전기영동하여 ethidium bromide (EtBr)로 10분간 염색하여 UV image analyzer로 관찰하였다. 그 결과 두 개의 서로 다른 밴드유형을 관찰하였으며, 21개 부위에서 염기서열 변이가 관찰되었다. 이러한 결과는 유전적 다양성 변이를 검출하는데 SSCP 분석이 유용한 도구라고 사료된다.

• 원예과학기술지
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• 제32권3호
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• pp.366-374
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• 2014

이배체 탱자로부터 자연적으로 발생한 동질 사배체 탱자의 수체 형질 관련 표현형 및 유전체 메틸화 변이 정도를 분석하여 후성 유전의 하나인 유전체 메틸화가 동질 사배체의 표현형 변이의 요인으로 작용할 수 있음을 구명하고자 본 실험을 수행하였다. 이배체 탱자에서 유래된 14주의 사배체 탱자로부터 염색체를 분석하여 이수성이 없는 2n = 4X = 36 식물체로 확인하였다. CMA 핵형 분석 결과 염색체가 배가된 동질 사배체임을 확인할 수 있었다. 동질 사배체에서 수고, 수폭, 원가지 수, 원가지 길이, 분지 각도, 마디 길이, 잎의 특성 등 동질 사배체 수체 표현형에 있어서 상당한 변이가 나타남을 확인하였다. 또한 동질 사배체 광합성률에는 큰 차이는 없었지만, SPAD 값에 의한 엽록소 지수에 있어서도 표현형이 다양하게 나타나는 것을 알 수 있었다. 그 외에도 기공 밀도와 공변 세포 길이에 있어서 광범위하게 변이가 관찰되는 것을 알 수 있었다. Global cytosine DNA 메틸화를 분석한 결과 개체 간 메틸화 정도에 차이가 존재함을 알 수 있었다. 동질 사배체 탱자 14주의 절반이 이배체 탱자의 메틸화와 비교하였을 때 2배 이상으로 나타난 것을 확인하였다. 본 연구 결과 동질 사배체에서 나타나는 수체형질 변이가 gene redundency를 줄이기 위한 global cytosine DNA 메틸화와 관계될 수 있음을 확인하였다.

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제27권5호
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• pp.583-589
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• 2009

GTP cyclohydrolase I (GTPCH) is a key enzyme in the de novo synthesis of tetrahydrobiopterin. Previously, the Drosophila melanogaster GTPCH gene has been shown to be expressed from two different promoters (P1 and P2). In our study, the 5'-flanking DNA regions required for P1 and P2 promoter activities were characterized using transient expression assay. The DNA regions between -98 and +31, and between -73 and +35 are required for efficient P1 and P2 promoter activities, respectively. The regions between -98 and -56 and between -73 and -41 may contain critical elements required for the expression of GTPCH in Drosophila. By aligning the nucleotide sequences in the P1 and P2 promoter regions of the Drosophila melanogaster and Drosophila virilrs GTPCH genes, several conserved elements including palindromic sequences in the regions critical for P1 and P2 promoter activities were identified. Western blot analysis of transgenic flies transformed using P1 or P2 promoter-lacZ fusion plasmids further revealed that P1 promoter expression is restricted to the late pupae and adult developmental stages but that the P2 promoter driven expression of GTPCH is constitutive throughout fly development. In addition, X-gal staining of the embryos and imaginal discs of transgenic flies suggests that the P2 promoter is active from stage 13 of embryo and is generally active in most regions of the imaginal discs at the larval stages.

• Animal Systematics, Evolution and Diversity
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• 제31권3호
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• pp.182-190
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• 2015

Two heterotrichid ciliates, Climacostomum virens (Ehrenberg, 1838) Stein, 1859 from brackish water and freshwater, and Fabrea salina Henneguy, 1890 from a solar saltern, were collected in Korea. They are novelly investigated in Korea by means of live observation, protargol staining and nuclear small subunit (SSU) rRNA gene sequencing. Climacostomum virens is characterized by pouch-like body shape, body length of $200-370{\mu}m$ in vivo, conspicuous cytopharyngeal tube, macronuclei ribbon-like shape, and one to four in number, with or without symbiont algae in cytoplasm, 34-66 somatic kineties, 67-113 adoral zone of membranelles, 8-42 peristomial kineties, 24-37 apical membranelles. SSU rDNA sequence size is 1,591 bp and GC contents 48.52%. Fabrea salina is also characterized by scoop-like body shape with proboscis, body length of $190-240{\mu}m$ in vivo, one to two rod-shaped macronuclei, oval micronuclei, grayish green cortical granules, 104-186 somatic kineties, 4-8 preoral kineties, 7-19 peristomial kineties and fragmented paroral membrane. SSU rDNA sequence size is 1,598 bp and GC contents 47.50%.

• 한국약용작물학회지
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• 제14권6호
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• pp.354-359
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• 2006

Chromosome analysis using mitosis, meiosis and bicolor FISH were carried out in Bupleurum latissimum Nakai, which is one of the endemic plants in Ulleung island of korea. The somatic methaphase chromosomes number of this plant was 2n = 2x = 16 and the chromosome complements consisted of six pairs of metacentrics and two pairs of submetacentrics. The size of chromosomes ranged 2.40${\sim}$4.20 ${\mu}$m and NOR (nucleolus organizer region) chromosome did not observed using conventional staining. In meiosis chromosomes, metaphase-I and anaphase-I were observed. Metaphase-I anaphase-I showed 8 bivalents and chromosomes migration to make two daughter cells. Using bicolor FISH, one pair of 5S and 45S rDNA signals were detected on the centromeric region of chromosome 3 and the end of short of chromosome 2,respectively. We also observed the NOR using 45S rDNA probe.