• Journal of Life Science
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 2014

Eukaryotic gene expression is an important process, which is initiated by several transcription factors and RNA polymerases that occupy the promoter region of genomic DNA. Although there are many experiments to identify the promoter region in a gene, it is time and labor consuming to finalize it. In this study, we utilized bioinformatic programs, including Ensembl, NCBI, and CpG plots, to identify the cloning promoter region in SETDB1 genomic DNA. We performed PCR amplification to obtain the SETDB1 promoter on an approximately 2 kb region upstream from the TSS named SETDB1-P1. The PCR product was ligated with TA cloning vectors, and we confirmed the insert size using restriction enzyme digestion. Sequentially, the insert was subcloned into a pGL3-luc vector to produce pGL3-SETDB1- P1-luc and then confirmed by DNA sequencing. We also obtained a fragmented PCR product called P2 and P3 and performed a luciferase assay using pGL3-SETDB1-P1-luc transfection. We found that several anticancer drugs, including taxol, 4-FU, and doxorubicin, decreased the promoter activity of SETDB1. We obtained consistent data on the regulation of SETDB1 gene expression after anticancer drug treatment using Western blot analysis and RT-PCR. Our results suggest that promoter cloning of the human SETDB1 gene utilizing bioinformatics is a very useful and timesaving approach to study gene expression.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.865-873
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• 2002

The primary cause of tooth loss after 30 years of age is periodontal disease. Destruction of alveolar bone by periodontal disease is done by bone resorbing activity of osteoclasts. Understanding differentiation and activation mechanism of osteoclasts is essential for controling periodontal disease. The purpose of this study is to identify the possible effects of Vitamin D and cytokines affecting osteoclasts and its precursor cells. Four to six week-old mice were killed and humerus, radius, tibia and femur were removed aseptically and washed two times with Hank's solution containing penicillin-streptomycin and then soft tissue were removed. Bone marrow cells were collected by 22 gauge needle. Cells were cultured in Hank's solution containing 1 mg/ml type II collagenase, 0.05% trypsin, 41mM EDTA. Supernatant solution was removed 5 times after 15 minutes of digestion with above mentioned enzyme solution, and remained bone particles were maintained in alpha-MEM for 15 minutes and $4^{\circ}C$ temperature. Bone particles were agitated for 1 minute and supernatant solution containing osteoclast precursor cells were filtrated with cell stainer. These separated osteoclast precursor cells were dispensed with 100-mm culture dish by $1{\times}10^7$ cells unit and cultured in ${\alpha}$- MEM containing 20 ng/ml recombinant human M-CSF, 30 ng/ml recombinant human soluble osteoclast differentiation factor and 10% fetal calf serum for 2 and 7 days. Total RNA of osteoclast precursor cells were extracted using RNeasy kit. One ${\mu}g$ of total RNA was reverse transcribed in $42^{\circ}C$ for 30 minutes using SuperScriptII reverse transcriptase. Expression of transcribed receptors of each hormone and cytokine were traced with 1 ${\mu}l$ of cDNA solution by PCR amplification. Vitamin D receptor WAS found in cells cultured for 7 days. TNF-${\alpha}$ receptor was found in cells cultured for 2 days and amount of receptors were increased by 7 days. IL-1 type I receptor was not found in cells cultured 2 and 7 days. But, IL-1 receptor type II was found in cells cultured for 2 days. TGF-${\alpha},{\beta}$type I receptor was found in cells cultured 2 and 7 days, and amount of receptors were increased by 7 days of culture. These results implies Vitamin D and cytokines can affect osteoclasts directly, and affecting period in differentiation cycle of osteoclasts is different by Vitamin D and cytokines.

• Korean journal of applied entomology
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• v.53 no.3
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• pp.281-286
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• 2014

In grape vineyards, whitish spots in a cloud shape have been often observed on the fruit surface recently. However, the cause of the halo spot symptom was unknown, hindering countermeasures to be properly designed for the control. A small hole in the middle of the formless halo spot remained as a scar formed by oviposition of the thrips. It became later a suberized scab, which is separated from the epidermal cells on the surface either to be retained on or to be detached from it as time proceeds. Such a symptom is distinguished from the feeding damages caused by thrips or true bugs occurring on the grape fruits. With DNA extracted from the egg-shell found in the hole, molecular diagnosis by amplifying an ITS2 region with universal primers and subsequently digesting the PCR product by an restriction enzyme (RsaI) revealed that the egg was laid by Frankliniella occidentalis. In addition, a mitochondrial COI sequence confirmed that the halo spot symptom was formed by its oviposition. This study provides accurate information on the peculiar damage symptom caused by oviposition of F. occidentalis that could be useful in the control strategies for this pest in vineyards.

• Advances in Traditional Medicine
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.104-111
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• 2004

Sasang Constitutional Medicine is a major branch of Korean Traditional Oriental Medicine. The differences of disease susceptibility to be shown in Sasang constitution may be due to genetic factors. Therefore, we examined interrelationship among cerebral infarction (CI), apolipoprotein E (apoE) gene polymorphism, and Sasang constitutional classification. ApoE is a key protein modulating the highly atherogenic apoB containing lipoproteins and is a candidate gene for the development of coronary artery disease (CAD). The ${\varepsilon}2\;and/or\;{\varepsilon}4$ alleles were the first to be implicated in premature CAD, which resulted in this polymorphism being extensively studied. We investigated the association between apoE genotype and CI by case-control study in a Korean population. We also classified CI patients and control group into groups according to Sasang Constitutional Medicine. 196 CI patients and 379 controls without CI were examined. ApoE genotype was determined by 8% polyacrylamide gel separation after DNA amplification. A significant difference in the apoE genotype distribution was observed in the CI patients compared with that in controls ($X^{2}$=14.920, df=4, P=0.005). Also, the frequency of Taeumin constitution in patients with CI was significantly higher than that in controls (58.0% vs. 36.9%; P<0.001). However, the Taeumin constitution did not enhance the relative risk for CI in the subjects with apoE ${\varepsilon}2\;and/or\;{\varepsilon}4$ alleles. No differences in the apoE genotypes frequencies were observed in the Taeumin compared with that in the other constitutions. In addition, we investigated whether the DD genotype of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) gene, a candidate gene for CI, was associated with CI, Taeumin constitution, and apoE polymorphism. As a result, the frequency of Taeumin constitution was significantly higher in CI patients with both apoE ${\varepsilon}3/{\varepsilon}4$ and ACE ID/DD genotypes than in the remaining Sasang constitutions (14.5% vs. 8.3% and 0%) ($X^{2}$=13.521, df=6, P=0.035). In summary, we concluded that the apoE polymorphism is a major risk factor for CI in Koreans and the ACE ID/DD genotype enhanced the relative risk for CI in the subjects with apoE ${\varepsilon}3/{\varepsilon}4$ genotype and Taeumin constitution.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.299-310
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• 2005

The severe form of chronic periodontitis(CP) has been reported to be strongly associated with the presence of allele 2 of composite IL-1B(+3954) and IL-1A(+4845) genetic polymorphisms(genotype positive). However, other studies have reported conflicting findings. These might have resulted from differences in ethnic background and disease entities. The aim of this study was to determine the distribution of IL-1A(+4845), IL-1B(+3954), IL-1B(-511), and IL-1 RN(VNTR) genetic polymorphisms in children as a future Korean population. The study population consisted of 92 children from the Dept. of Pediatric Dentistry, Chonnam National University Hospital. Genomic DNA was obtained from buccal swab. The IL-1A(+4845), IL-1B(+3954), and IL-1B(-511) genes were genotyped by amplifying the polymorphic region using multiplex polymerase chain reaction(PCR), followed by restriction enzyme digestion and gel electrophoresis. IL-1 RN(VNTR) polymorphism were then evaluated by PCR amplification and fragment size analysis in agarose gel. The allele 2 frequency was 41.3%, 4.3%, 47.8%, and 9.9% for IL-1A(+4845), IL-1B(+3954), IL-1B(-511), and IL-1 RN respectively. The frequency of genotype with allele 2 carriage for IL-1A(+4845), IL-1B(+3954), IL-1B(-511), and IL-1 RN was 77.1%, 7.6%, 63.0%, and 15.2% respectively. The allele 2 frequency in IL-1B(+3954) was significantly higher in female than in male population(p<0.05). The negative association was shown between the presence of allele 2 in IL-1B(-511) and in IL-1B(+3954), and the carriage rate of IL-1B(+3954) allele 2 tended to lower in IL-1B(-511) allele 2(P=0.056). Only 7.3% of children carried the composite genotype of IL-1A(+4845) and IL-1B(+3954). These results suggest that the polymorphism of IL-1B(+3954) and the positive composite genotype was relatively rare in Korean population.

• Korean Journal of Plant Tissue Culture
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.109-113
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• 1998

In this study we tried to transform an antimicrobial peptide gene (Shiva) under the promoter of tomato phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (tPAL5) into tobacco and potato plants. Antimicrobial peptide gene was isolated originally from giant silk moth (Hyalophora cecropia) and modified ie nucleotide sequence to increase antimicrobial activity. Transgenic tobacco plants were regenerated and their seeds were tested on the media containing kanamycin (500 mg/L). The results of PCR amplification and genomic Southern blot hybridization confirmed the integration of construct (tPAL5 promoter-Shiva-NOS-GUS-NOS) into chromosome. We observed that one of the transgenic tobacco plants showed chromosome rearrangement when integrated. In case of potato transformation, the efficiency of regeneration was maximized at the medium containing Zeatin 2mg/L, NAA 0.01mg/L, GA$_3$ 0.1mg/L. We also observed the high expression of GUS (${\beta}$-glucuronidase) enzyme which was located next to the terminator sequence of nopaline synthase gene (NOS) in the vascular tissue of stem, leaves of transgenic potatoes. This result suggested that a short sequence of Shiva gene (120 bp) and NOS terminator sequence might be served as a leader sequence of transcript when translated.

• The Korean Journal of Mycology
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• v.48 no.4
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• pp.389-396
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• 2020

Lentinula edodes is one of the most widely consumed edible mushrooms in Korea. Mating in L. edodes is regulated by a tetrapolar system, and two unlinked genetic loci, A and B, are known to be major determinants of the mating types, as reported in other heterothallic basidiomycetes. The A locus of L. edodes encodes a pair of homeodomain (HD) transcription factors. The highly variable N-termini of these HD transcription factors contribute to the diversity among the A mating types. In this study, we developed a cleaved amplified polymorphic sequence (CAPS) marker to discriminate 11 different A mating type alleles predominant among both cultivated and wild strains. Amplification of the variable region of the A locus followed by digestion with HaeIII and EcoRI restriction enzymes enabled successful discrimination among the 11 A mating type alleles. We also evaluated the applicability of this method in the identification of two A mating types of a dikaryotic strain.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.99-110
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• 2008

Objectives: Preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) has become an assisted reproductive technique for couples carrying genetic conditions that may affect their offspring. Osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) is an autosomal dominant disorder of connective tissue characterized by bone fragility and low bone mass. At least 95% of cases are caused by dominant mutations in the COL1A1 or COL1A2. In this study, we report on our experience clinical outcomes with 5 PGD cycles for OI in two couples. Methods: Before clinical PGD, we assessed the amplification rate and allele drop-out (ADO) rate of alkaline lysis and nested PCR protocol using heterozygous patient's single lymphocytes in the pre-clinical diagnostic tests for OI. We performed 5 cycles of PGD for OI by nested PCR for the causative mutation loci, COL1A1 c.2452G>A and c.3226G>A, in case 1 and case 2, respectively. The PCR products were analyzed by agarose gel electrophoresis, restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis with HaeIII restriction enzyme in the case 1 and direct DNA sequencing. Results: We confirmed the causative mutation loci, COL1A1 c.2452G>A in case 1 and c.3226G>A in case 2. In the pre-clinical tests, the amplification rate was 94.2% and ADO rate was 22.5% in case 1, while 98.1% and 1.9% in case 2, respectively. In case 1, a total of 34 embryos were analyzed and 31 embryos (91.2%) were successfully diagnosed in 3 PGD cycles. Eight out of 19 embryos diagnosed as unaffected embryos were transferred in all 3 cycles, and in the third cycle, pregnancy was achieved and a healthy baby was delivered without any complications in July, 2005. In case 2, all 19 embryos (100.0%) were successfully diagnosed and 4 out of 11 unaffected embryos were transferred in 2 cycles. Pregnancy was achieved in the second cycle and the healthy baby was delivered in March, 2008. The causative locus was confirmed as a normal by amniocentesis and postnatal diagnosis. Conclusions: To our knowledge, these two cases are the first successful PGD for OI in Korea. Our experience provides a further demonstration that PGD is a reliable and effective clinical techniques and a useful option for many couples with a high risk of transmitting a genetic disease.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.18-25
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• 2004

Purpose : Alport syndrome is clinically characterized by hereditary progressive nephritis causing ESRD with irregular thickening of the GBM and sensory neural hearing loss. The mutations of type IV collagen gene(COL4A5) located on the long arm of X chromosome is considered responsible for most of the structural abnormalities in the GBM of Alport patients. Since no definite clinical prognostic predictor has been reported in the disease yet, we designed this study to evaluate the significance of genetic polymorphism of the angiotensin converting enzyme in children with Alport syndrome as a prognostic factor for disease progression. Methods : ACE I/D genotype were examined by PCR amplification of the genomic DNA in 12 patients with Alport syndrome and 12 of their family members. Alport patients were divided into two groups; the conservative group, those who had preserved renal function for more than 10 years of age, the early CRF group, those who had progressed to CRF within 10 years of age. Results : The mean age of onset was $3.45{\pm}2.4$ years in the conservative group, $4.4{\pm}1.2$ years in the early CRF group. Sex ratios were 5:3 and 2:1 in each group. Among 12 cases of patients, 4 cases were in early CRF group and their mean duration of onset to CRF was 4.5 yews(8.9 years of age). Eight patients(67%) were in the conservative group and they had normal renal function for more than 10 years of age(mean duration of renal preservation was 10.6 years). The incidence of II type ACE gene were in 25.0%(3 cases), ID type in 41.7%(5 cases), DD type in 33.3%(4 cases). There was no significant difference between Alport patient and normal control(II type 44.3%, ID type 40.9%, DD type 14.8%). The incidence of DD type of early CRF group were higher than that of the conservative group(75% vs 12.5%)(p<0.05). There was no difference in ACE gene polymorphism between normal Alport family members and control group. Conclusion : Even though there was no significant difference of ACE polymorphism between Alport patients and the normal control group, the incidence of DD type is significantly increased in early CRF group which means DD type of ACE polymorphism has a possibility of being a predictor for early progression to CRF in Alport patients.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.216-224
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• 1998

This study was performed to offer the basic and applicable data for improvement of Korean cattle and dairy cattle, according to finding the genetic construction obtained from analysis of genetic polymorphisms of ${\beta}$-lactoglobulin and ${\kappa}$-casein loci related Korean cattle and Holstein cows using PCR-RFLP. Genomic DNA used in this study was prepared from the blood of 253 individuals of Korean cattle in Korean Native Cattle Improvement Center, NLCF, and the blood of 113 individuals of Holstein cows in National Livestock Research Institute. The results obtained are summarized as follows : 1. This study confirmed amplified products of 530bp and 262bp fragments obtained from the amplification of ${\beta}$-lactoglobulin and ${\kappa}$-casein loci in Korean cattle and Holstein breed by PCR. 2. The ${\beta}$-lactoglobulin AA genotype showed 153bp and 109bp fragments, and ${\beta}$-lactoglobulin AB genotype showed 153bp, 109bp, 79bp and 74bp fragments, and BB genotype showed 109bp, 79bp and 74bp fragments in amplified products of ${\beta}$-lactoglobulin loci with the restricted enzyme digestion of Hae III. 3. The ${\kappa}$-casein AA genotype showed a 530bp fragment, and ${\kappa}$-casein AB genotype showed 530bp, 344bp and 186bp fragments, and BB genotype showed 344bp and 186bp fragments in amplified products of ${\kappa}$-casein loci with the restricted enzyme digestion of Taq I. 4. On ${\beta}$-lactoglobulin genotypes and gene frequencies, Korean cattle were 6.72%, 26.09% and 67.19% for AA, AB and BB genotypes, and ${\beta}$-lactoglobulin A and B alleles were 0.197 and 0.803, and Holstein were 35.40%, 56.64% and 7.96% for AA, AB and BB genotypes, and ${\beta}$-lactoglobulin A and B alleles were 0.637 and 0.363, respectively. 5. On ${\kappa}$-casein genotypes and gene frequencies, Korean cattle were 46.25%, 39.13% and 14.62% for AA, AB and BB genotypes, and ${\kappa}$-casein A and B alleles were 0.658 and 0.342, and Holstein were 60.18% and 38.94% and 0.88% for AA, AB and BB genotypes, and ${\kappa}$-casein A and B alleles were 0.796 and 0.204, respectively. 6. As a consequence, the gene frequency was 0.197 and 0.803 for ${\beta}$-lactoglobulin A and B alleles, and 0.658 and 0.342 for ${\kappa}$-casein A and B alleles in Korea cattle, but was 0.637 and 0.363 for ${\beta}$-lactoglobulin A and B alleles, and 0.796 and 0.204 for ${\kappa}$-casein A and B alleles in Holstein, respectively.