• Journal of Genetic Medicine
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.41-46
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• 2008

Purpose : Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is the most common heritable cause of cognitive impairment. FXS is caused by hyperexpansion and hypermethylation of a polymorphic CGG trinucleotide repeat in the 5' untranslated region of the fragile X mental retadation-1(FMR1) gene. Combination of Southern blotting and simple polymerase chain reaction(PCR) amplification of the FMR1 repeat region is commonly used for diagnosis in females. To give a definite diagnosis in a female child suspected of having FXS, we carried out the molecular diagnostic test for FXS using the recently developed Abbott Molecular Fragile X PCR Kit. Methods : The PCR amplification of the FMR1 repeat region was performed using the Abbott Mdecular Fragile X PCR Kit. The amplified products were analyzed by size-separate analysis on 1.5% agarose gels and by DNA fragment analysis using Gene scan. Results : Agarose gel and Gene scan analyses of PCR products of the FMR1 repeat region showed that the patient had two heterozygous alleles with a normal 30 repeats and full mutation of >200 repeats whereas her mother had two heterozygous alleles with the normal 30 repeats and premutation of 108 repeats, suggesting that the premutation of 108 repeats in her mother may have led to the full mutation of >200 repeats in the patient. Conclusion : We diagnosed FXS in a female patient using a simplified molecular diagnostic test. This commercially available diagnostic test for FXS, based on PCR, may be a suitable alternative or complement method to Southern blot analysis and PCR analysis and/or methylation specific(MS)-PCR analysis for the molecular diagnosis of FXS in both males and females.

• Molecular & Cellular Toxicology
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.134-140
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• 2006

Because shipyard workers are involved with various manufacturing process in shipyard industry, and they are exposed to many kinds of hazardous materials. Especially, painting workers were exposed polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH). This study was conducted to assess the exposure status of PAH based on job-exposure matrix. We investigated the effect of genetic polymorphism of xenobiotic metabolism enzymes involved in PAH metabolism on levels of urinary metabolite. A total of 93 shipbuilding workers were recruited in this study. Questionnaire variables were age, sex, use of personal protective equipment, smoking, drinking, and work duration. The urinary metabolite was collected in the afternoon and corrected by urinary creatinine concentration. The genotypes of CYP1A1, CYP2E1, GSTM1, GSTT1 and UGT1A6 were investigated by using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) methods with DNA extracted from venous blood. Urinary 1-OHP levels were significantly higher in direct exposured group (spray and touch-up) than indirect exposed group. Urinary 1-OHP, concentration of the high exposure with wild type of UGT1A6 was significantlyhigher than that of the high exposure with other UGT1A6 genotype. In multiple regression analysis of urinary 1-OHP, the regression coefficient of job grade was statistically significant (p<0.05) and UGT1A6 was not significant but a trend (p<0.1). The grade of exposure affected urinary PAH concentration was statistically significant. But genetic polymorphism of xenobiotics metabolism enzymes was not statistically significant. Further investigation of genetic polymorphism with large sample size is needed.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.78-82
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• 2018

Detection of pathogenic microorganisms takes several days by conventional methods. It is necessary to assess microorganisms in a timely manner to reduce the risk of spreading infection. For this purpose, bacteriophages are chosen for use as a biosensing tool due to their host specificity, wide abundance, and safety. However, their lytic cycle limits their efficacy as biosensors. Phage proteins involved in binding to bacteria could be a robust alternative in resolving this drawback. Here, a fragment of tail protein J (residues 784 to 1,132) of phage lambda fused with 6X His-tag (6HN-J) at its N-terminus was cloned, overexpressed, purified, and characterized for its binding with microorganisms. The purified protein demonstrated a size of about 38 kDa in sodium dodecyl sulfate - polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and bound with anti-His monoclonal antibodies. It bound specifically to Escherichia coli K-12, and not Salmonella typhimurium, Bacillus subtilis, or Pseudomonas aeruginosa in dot blotting. Binding of the protein to E. coli K-12 inhibited about 50% of the in vivo adsorption of the phage lambda to host cells at a concentration of $1{\mu}g/ml$ 6HN-J protein and almost 100% at $25{\mu}g/ml$ 6HN-J. The results suggest that a fusion viral protein could be utilized as a biosensing element (e.g., protein chips) for detecting microorganisms in real time.

• The Plant Pathology Journal
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• v.16 no.5
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• pp.269-279
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• 2000

Alfalfa mosaic alfamoviruses(AIMV) were isolated from infected potato (Solanum tuberosum) and azuki bean (Paseolus angularis) in Korea. Two AIMV isolated from potatoes were named as strain KR (AIMV-KR1 and KR2) and AIMV isolated from azuki bean was named as strain Az (AIMV-Az). Each isolated AIMV strain was characterized by using their host ranges, symptom developments, serological relations and nucleotide sequence analysis of coat protein (CP) gene. Strains KR1, KR2, and Az were readily transmitted to 20 of 22 inoculated plant species including bean, cowpea, tomato, tobacco, and potato. AIMV-KR1 and KR2 produced the typical symptoms like chlorotic or necrotic spots in Chenopodium quinoa and Solanum tuberosum cv. Superior. AIMV-Az caused bright yellow mosaic symptom and leaf malformation in Nicotiana glauca, which were different from the common mosaic symptom caused by AIMV-KR1 and KR2. Electron microscope observation of purified virus showed bacilliform virions containing a single-stranded plus-strand RNAs of 3.6, 2.6, 2.0 and 0.9 kbp in length, respectively, similar in size and appearance to those of Alfamovirus. In SDS-PAGE, the coat protein of the two viruses formed a consistent band that estimated to be about 24kDa. The CP genes of the AIMV strains, KR1, KR2, and Az have been amplified by RT-PCR using the specific primers designed to amplify CP gene from viral RNA-3, cloned and sequenced. Computer aided analysis of the amplified cDNA fragment sequence revealed the presence of a single open reading frame capable of encoding 221 amino acids. The nucleotide and peptide sequence of viral CP gene showed that strain KR1, KR2, and Az shared highest nucleotide sequence identities with AIMV strain 425-M at 97.7%, 98.2%, and 97.2%, respectively. CP gene sequences of two strains were almost identical compared with each other. Altogether, physical, serological, biological and molecular properties of the purified virus.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.12
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• pp.5007-5011
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• 2015

Background: Breast cancer is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in Jordan and worldwide. Abnormality of DNA methylation is a possible mechanism for the development of cancer. Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) is involved in DNA methylation. Our aim was to study the association between genetic polymorphisms of MTHFR at two sites (C677T and A1298C) and their haplotypes and the risk of breast cancer among Jordanian females. Materials and Methods: A case-control study involving 150 breast cancer cases and 150 controls was conducted. Controls were age-matched to cases. Polymerase chain reaction/restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) technique and sequencing were conducted to determine the genotypes. Results: There was a significant difference in genotype frequency of C677T in the 41-60 year age category [cases: CC (37.4%), CT (49.5%) and TT (13.2%); controls: CC (56.3%), CT (35.6%) and TT (8%), p= 0.04; $OR_{TT\;vs.\;CC}$: 2.5, 95% CI: (0.9-6.9); $OR_{at\;least\;on\;T$: 2.1, 95%CI: (1.2-3.9)]. There was no significant difference in genotype frequency of A1298C between cases and controls [cases: AA (46.6%), AC (41.8%) and CC (11.6%); controls: AA (43%), AC (47.4%) and CC (9.6%); p= 0.6]. There was a significant difference of MTHFR genetic polymorphism haplotypes among breast cancer cases and controls [cases/control: CA: 38.3/45.4%; CC: 28.9/25.2%; TA: 29.2/21; TC: 3.6/8.3; p value= 0.01; $OR_{TA\;vs.\;CA}=1.6$; 95% CI (1.1-2.5); p= 0.02]. Conclusions: Genetic polymorphism of MTHFR C677T may modulate the risk of breast cancer especially in the 41-60 year age group. Additionally, TA haplotype amends the risk of breast cancer. Future studies with a larger sample size are needed to validate the role of MTHFR genetic polymorphisms in breast cancer.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.139-144
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• 2003

Since water borne infection causes acute diseases and results in spread of diseases by secondary infection, the prevention is very important. Therefore, it is necessary to have a method that is rapid and effective to monitor pathogenic bacteria in drinking water. In this study, we employed a systematic method, Polymerase Chain Reaction-Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) analysis, to develop an effective monitoring system for possible bacterial contaminants in drinking water. For this purpose, PCR primers were derived from 992 bp region of the 16s rRNA gene that is highly conserved through the different species of prokaryotes. To test whether the PCR primers designed are indeed useful for detecting all the possible microbial contaminants in the water, the primers were used to amplify 16s rRNA regions of different microbial water-borne pathogens such as E. coli, Salmonella, Yersinia, Listeria, and Staphylococcus. As expected, all of tested microorganisms amplified expected size of PCR products indicating designed PCR primers for 16s rRNA indeed can be useful to amplify all different microbial water-borne pathogens in the water. Furthermore, to test whether these 16s rRNA based PCR primers can detect bacterial populations present in the water, water samples taken from diverse sources, such as river, tap, and sewage, were used for amplification. PCR products were for then subjected for cloning into a T-vector to generate a library containing 16s rRNA sequences from various bacteria. With cloned PCR products, RFLP analysis was done using PCR products digested with restriction enzyme such as Hae III to obtain species-specific RFLP profiles. After PCR-RFLP, the bacterial clones which showed the same RFLP profiles were regarded as the same ones, and the clones which showed distinctive RFLP profiles were subsequently subjected for sequence analysis for species identification. By this PCR-RFLP analysis, we were able to reveal diverse populations of bacteria living in water. In brief, in unsterilized natural river water, over 60 different species of bacteria were found. On the other hand, no PCR products were detected in drinking tap-water. The results from this study clearly indicate that the PCR-RFLP-sequence analysis can be a useful method for monitoring diverse, perhaps pathogenic bacteria contaminated in water in a rapid fashion.

• Research in Plant Disease
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.71-73
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• 2007

Field disease incidences of squash virus diseases in Jeonnam province were estimated to be 76.1% and of delayed planting on August-September (retarding culture) and on February-March (semi-forcing culture) on glass house were 55.0% and 0%, respectively, in 2000. Disease incidences of individual squash plant within a field were 100% and 3.6%, respectively, in wild culture and retarding culture. Total of 61 samples suspected to be infected with viruses were collected in 2000 and tested by RT-PCR using specific oligonulceotide primer sets designed for the detection of Cucumber green mottle mosaic virus (CGMMV), Kyuri green mottle mosaic virus (KGMMV), Zucchini yellow mosaic virus (ZYMV), Papaya ring spot virus (PRSV), Watermelon mosaic virus (WMV), and Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV). Each specific primer set for WMV, ZYMV, and PRSV amplified expected size of DNA fragments from 16, 10, and 2 samples in wild culture, respectively. Double or triple infection were observed in 7 samples tested. In contrast, each specific primer set for WMV, ZYMV, and PRSV confirmed virus infection from 7, 6, and 6 samples, respectively, in samples collected from semi-forcing culture. Double infection of WMV and PRSV was observed in only one sample. However, no DNA fragment was amplified from RT-PCR using CGMMV, KGMMV, and CMV specific oligonucleotide primer sets indicating no CGMMV, KGMMV, or CMV infection in squash fields in Jeonnam province in 2000.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.15 no.3 s.70
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• pp.474-478
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• 2005

This study was conducted to analyze genetic characteristics and to develop the specific marker for Cheju native horse (Coo) at the level of sequence characterized amplified regions (SCARs). We collected blood samples from Cheju native horse and Thoroughbred horse (Th) and obtained genomic DNA from the blood of 50 individuals randomly selected within the breeds. Seven hundred primers were chosen randomly and were used to examin the polymorphism and 40 kinds of primers showed polymorphic RAPD band patterns between two breeds. Thirty primers of them showed horse specific bands. With the primer MG 30, amplified band of 2.0 kb showed the specificity to Cheju native horse (Cnh). Additionally MG 53 detected the thoroughbred horse (Th) specific markers at size of 2.3 kb. As the next, 2.3 kb band from MG 53 was checked with the all individuals from all the breeds of this study, and it maintained the reproducible breed specificity to thoroughbred horse (Th). With this results, 2.3 kb band was cloned into plasmid vector and sequenced bidirectionally from both ends of the cloned fragment. With the obtained sequences 10 nucleotide extended primers including the original arbitray primer were designed as a SCARs primer. Finally, the primer with extended sequence showed the reproducible breed differentiation pattern and it was possible to identify Cheju native horse (Cnh) from other breeds. The SCARs marker 2.3 kb from MG 53 could be used to identify Cheju native horse (Cnh) for not only registration but also horse breeding programe.

• Conservation Science in Museum
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• v.7
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• pp.53-62
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• 2006

The wooden armor frame and various lacquerware artifacts excavated from the low swamp remains in Imdang, Gyeongsan have very weak material and lacquer coating; in case they are exposed in the air, they are likely to be shrunken and deformed immediately. The wooden armor frame has large size and it might be dissolved during freeze-drying. The lacquer coating of lacquerware blocks the penetration of chemicals and it is very likely to swell or peel off during the treatment. Therefore, to prevent the dissolution during vacuum freeze-drying, the wooden armor frame was replaced with t-butanol and impregnated in t-butanol solution with PEG#3, 350 43%, and lacquerware was impregnated in PEG#3, 350 40% solution at room temperature and freeze-dried. According to the analysis of the lacquer fragment from the lacquerware, the lid and the mounted cup was pasted with the mixture of lacquer and black pigment (soot) on the base layer after the first coating and pasted two or three times more with natural lacquer; the red lacquered wooden cup was pasted with the mixture of lacquer and black pigment on the base layer and pasted once on the middle layer. The top lacquer (red) was pasted with the mixture of iron oxide(Fe₂O₃).

• Journal of Mushroom
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.171-176
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• 2013

Genomic DNAs of psychrophilic strains of Pleurotus eryngii were analyzed by randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) using OP-A, OP-B, OP-L, OP-P, OP-R and OP-S3 primers to develop the strain-specific DNA marker. A unique DNA fragment with the size of 480 bp was yielded by OP-S3 primer from the psychrophilic strain. A sequence characterized amplified region (SCAR) marker, designated as OP-S3-1, was designed on the basis of the determined sequence. The PCR analysis with the OP-S3-1 primer showed that this SCAR marker can clearly distinguish the psychrophilic strains from the control strains.