• Molecules and Cells
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.343-355
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• 2006

Stem cells are unique cell populations with the ability to undergo both self-renewal and differentiation, although a wide variety of adult stem cells as well as embryonic stem cells have been identified and stem cell plasticity has recently been reported. To identify genes implicated in the control of the stem cell state as well as the characteristics of each stem cell line, we analyzed the expression profiles of genes in human embryonic, hematopoietic ($CD34^+$ and $CD133^+$), and mesenchymal stem cells using cDNA microarrays, and identified genes that were differentially expressed in specific stem cell populations. In particular we were able to identify potential hESC signature-like genes that encode transcription factors (TFAP2C and MYCN), an RNA binding protein (IMP-3), and a functionally uncharacterized protein (MAGEA4). The overlapping sets of 22 up-regulated and 141 down-regulated genes identified in this study of three human stem cell types may also provide insight into the developmental mechanisms common to all human stem cells. Furthermore, our comprehensive analyses of gene expression profiles in various adult stem cells may help to identify the genetic pathways involved in self-renewal as well as in multi-lineage specific differentiation.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.49 no.1
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• pp.120-129
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• 2021

Rotavirus A (RVA) is recognized as a major etiology responsible for the development of acute gastroenteritis in children worldwide. The purpose of the present study was to perform the molecular characterization of RVA. A total of 323 stool specimens collected from hospitalized children with acute gastroenteritis in Chiang Rai, Thailand, in 2016-2018 were identified for G- and P-genotypes through RT-PCR analysis. RVA was more prevalent in 2017-2018 (37.8%) than in 2016-2017 (23.2%). The seasonal peak of RVA occurred from March to April. G3P[8] was predominant in 2016-2017 (90.6%) and 2017-2018 (58.6%). Other genotypes including G1P[8], G8P[8], G9P[8], and mixed infections were also identified. G3P[8] strains clustered together in the same lineage with other novel human equine-like G3P[8] strains previously identified in multiple countries and presented a genotype 2 constellation (G3-P[8]-I2-R2-C2-M2-A2-N2-T2-E2-H2). Several amino acid differences were observed in the antigenic epitopes of the VP7 and VP8* capsid proteins of the equine-like G3P[8] compared with those of the RVA vaccine strains. The homology modeling of the VP7 and VP8* capsid proteins of the equine-like G3P[8] strains evidently exhibited that these residue differences were present on the surface-exposed area of the capsid structure. The emergence of the equine-like G3P[8] strains in Thailand indicates the rapid spread of strains with human and animal gene segments. Continuous surveillance for RVA is essential to monitor genotypes and genetic diversity, which will provide useful information for selecting rotavirus strains to develop a safe and effective RVA vaccine that is efficacious against multiple genotypes and variants.

• Journal of Veterinary Science
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.45.1-45.12
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• 2024

Importance: Although the role of bovine coronavirus (BCoV) in calf diarrhea and respiratory disorders is well documented, its contribution to neurological diseases is unclear. Objective: This study conducted virological investigations of calves showing diarrhea and respiratory and neurological signs. Methods: An outbreak of diarrhea, respiratory, and neurological disorders occurred among the 12 calves in July 2022 in Istanbul, Türkiye. Two of these calves exhibited neurological signs and died a few days after the appearance of symptoms. One of these calves was necropsied and analyzed using molecular and histopathological tests. Results: BCoV RNA was detected in the brain, lung, spleen, liver, and intestine of the calf that had neurological signs by real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Immunostaining was also observed in the intestine and brain. A 622 bp S1 gene product was noted on gel electrophoresis only in the brain. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that the BCoV detected in this study had a high proximity to the BCoV strain GIb with 99.19% nucleotide sequence homology to the strains detected in Poland, Israel, Türkiye, and France. No distinct genetic lineages were observed when the brain isolate was compared with the respiratory and enteric strains reported to GenBank. In addition, the highest identity (98,72%) was obtained with the HECV 4408 and L07748 strains of human coronaviruses. Conclusions and Relevance: The strain detected in a calf brain belongs to the GIb-European lineage and shares high sequence homology with BCoV strains detected in Europe and Israel. In addition, the similarity between the human coronaviruses (4408 and L07748) raises questions about the zoonotic potential of the strains detected in this study.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.28 no.8
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• pp.962-968
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• 2018

Type A influenza virus is circulating in wild birds and can infect wide ranges of hosts such as humans, pigs, domestic birds, and other mammals. Many subtypes of avian influenza viruses are circulating in aquatic birds. Most avian influenza viruses found in aquatic birds are low pathogenic avian influenza viruses. Highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses have been found in waterfowls since 2005. It is known that H5 and H7 subtypes of avian influenza viruses can be mutated into highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses in domestic poultry. In this study, we isolated novel reassortant H7N7 avian influenza virus from the fecal materials of migratory birds in the Western part of South Korea in 2016, and analyzed the sequences of all its eight genes. The genetic analysis of our isolate, A/waterfowl/Korea/S017/2016 (H7N7) indicates that it was reassortant avian influenza virus containing genes of both avian influenza viruses of wild birds and domestic ducks. Phylogenetic analysis showed that our isolate belongs to Eurasian lineage of avian influenza virus. Since avian influenza viruses continue to evolve, and H7-subtype avian influenza virus can mutate into the highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses, which cause the great threat to humans and animals, we closely survey the infections in both wild birds, and domestic poultry, and mammals.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.181-190
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• 2002

This study was performed to determine sequences of the mt DNA D-loop region, including $tRNA^{Pro}$ and $tRNA^{Pre}$ and to analysis sequence variation polymorphism in Korean cattle. The resulting sequencies were compared with previously published sequences for other cattle breeds(GenBank J01394). The PCR was used to amplify an 1142bp between nucleotides 15061 and 404 within the D-loop region of mt DNA using specific primers. Korean cattle showed 24 polymorphic sites by nucleotide substitutions and insertions of single base pairs. About 50% of polymorphic sites were found in positions 16042 to 16122 with the most variable region. Among these polymorphic sites, variations at 16055, 16230 and 16260 bp were detected as new sequence variants in Korean cattle. These specific polymorphic sites have not been reported in the Japanese black cattle and European cattle. Therefore, mt DNA variants in the D-loop region may be used as genetic markers for specifying Korean cattle. The frequencies of positions 169, 16302, 16093, 16042, 16119 with a high level of sequence polymorphism were 0.81, 0.56, 0.56, 0.50 and 0.43, respectively. In comparison of genetic distances, Korean cattle showed the more closely to European cattle as Bos taurus than Bos indicus such as African and India breeds. In conclusion, these mt DNA sequence polymorphisms in the D-loop region for Korean cattle may be useful for the analysis of cytoplasmic genetic variation and associations with economic important traits and genetic analysis of maternal lineage.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.385-392
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• 2011

The otter (Lutra lutra) in Korea is classified as a first grade endangered species and is managed under state control. We performed a phylogenetic analysis of the otter that inhabits the Changnyeong, Jinju, and Geoje areas in Gyeongsangnamdo, Korea using mtDNA and microsatellite (MS) markers. As a result of the analysis using the 676-bp D-loop sequence of mtDNA, six haplotypes were estimated from five single nucleotide polymorphisms. The genetic distance between the Jinju and Geoje areas was greater than distances within the areas, and the distance between Jinju and Geoje was especially clear. From the phylogenetic tree estimated using the Bayesian Markov chain Monte Carlo analysis by the MrBays program, two subgroups, one containing samples from Jinju and the other containing samples from the Changnyeong and Geoje areas were clearly identified. The result of a parsimonious median-joining network analysis also showed two clear subgroups, supporting the result of the phylogenetic analysis. On the other hand, in the consensus tree estimated using the genetic distances estimated from the genotypes of 13 MS markers, there were clear two subgroups, one containing samples from the Jinju, Geoje and Changnyeong areas and the other containing samples from only the Jinju area. The samples were not identically classified into each subgroup defined by mtDNA and MS markers. It could be inferred that the differential classification of samples by the two different marker systems was because of the different characteristics of the marker systems used, that is, the mtDNA was for detecting maternal lineage and the MS markers were for estimating autosomal genetic distances. Nonetheless, the results from the two marker systems showed that there has been a progressive genetic fixation according to the habitats of the otters. Further analyses using not only newly developed MS markers that will possess more analytical power but also the whole mtDNA are needed. Expansion of the phylogenetic analysis using otter samples collected from the major habitats in Korea should be helpful in scientifically and efficiently maintaining and preserving them.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.45 no.6
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• pp.933-938
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• 2003

This study was performed to analyse the sequences of variations of mtDNA D-loop and their effects on carcass traits in Hnawoo(Korean cattle). The resulting sequences were compared with previously published sequences for other cattle breeds(GenBank J01394). The PCR was used to amplify a total of 964 bp between nucleotide 15758 and 383 within D-loop region of mtDNA using specific primers. Twenty five polymorphic sites by nucleotide substitution were found in mtDNA of Hanwoo. The frequencies of positions at 169, 16042, 16093, 16119, 16255 and 16302 nt with high levels of sequence polymorphism were 0.891, 0.117, 0.109, 0.182, 0.197 and 0.117, respectively. The substitution effect at 169 and 16119 nt was found significant on marbling score. Also substitution effect at 169 and 16042 nt was highly significant(p〈0.01) on backfat. thickness. Polymorphism of mtDNA sequence in D-loop region could be useful for the analysis of cytoplasmic genetic variation and associations with the other economically important traits and maternal lineage analysis in Hanwoo.

• 한국균학회소식:학술대회논문집
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• 2015.05a
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• pp.55-55
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• 2015

Rust is one of the most destructive diseases on economically important plants such as agricultural and horticultural crops, as well as forest trees [1]. Chemical treatment is the most effective means to control rust, but use of the chemical fungicides involves inevitable risks to human health and environment [2]. Unfortunately, biocontrol is currently impracticable for rust disease management [3]. It is necessary to exploit biocontrol agents to help prevent rust diseases. As a fundamental research for future development of biocontrol agents for rusts, biodiversity of hyperparasites occurring on rust fungi was investigated. During 2006-2010, 197 fungal isolates of the rust hyperparasites were collected and isolated from various combinations of mycohosts and plant hosts in many regions of Korea. Based on morphological and molecular data, they were identified as 8 genera and 12 species. Besides, phylogenetic relationships between the hyperparasites and related taxa were inferred. A total of 114 isolates of Pseudovirgaria were obtained from rust pustules of Phragmidium spp. and Pucciniastrum agrimoniae infecting rosaceous plants. Phylogenetic analysis using multigene sequences revealed a high level of genetic variability among many isolates of Pseudovirgaria and close correlation between the isolates and mycohosts. Only two species of Pseudovirgaria, P. hyperparasitica and P. grisea are often difficult to distinguish by their morphological similarity, but on the molecular basis they were clearly differentiated from each other. There had been no previous record of P. grisea outside Europe, but the present study has proved its presence in Korea. Among six distinct groups (five of P. hyperparasitica and one of P. grisea) within the Pseudovirgaria isolates, each lineage of P. hyperparasitica was closely associated with specific mycohosts and thus might have cospeciated with their mycohosts, which probably led to coevolution. Although P. grisea possesses a host preference for Phragmidium species occurring on Rubus, it was not specific for a mycohost. P. grisea seems to evolve in the direction of having a broad mycohost range. Seventeen isolates of Verticillium-like fungi were isolated from rust sori. Based on morphological data and DNA sequence analysis, the isolates were identified as three Lecanicillium species, viz. L. attenuatum, Lecanicillium sp. 1, Lecanicillium sp. 2, and V. epiphytum. The unidenified two species of Lecanicillium appear to be previously unknown taxa. Sixty-six isolates of miscellaneous hyphomycetes belonging to 6 species of 5 genera were obtained from pustules of rust fungi. On the basis of morphological and molecular analyses, the miscellaneous hyphomycetes growing on rusts were identified as Acrodontium crateriforme, Cladophialophora pucciniophila, Cladosporium cladosporioides, Phacellium vossianum, Ramularia coleosporii, and R. uredinicola.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.9-13
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• 2005

This study was performed to analyze the sequence variation in mtDNA D-loop and their effects on milk and milk fat production in Holstein cows. The analyzed sequences were compared with previously published sequences from other cattle breeds (GenBank J01394). PCR was performed to amplify a total of 964 bp between nucleotide 15758 and 383 within D-loop region of mtDNA using specific primers. Thirty five polymorphic sites by nucleotide substitution were found in mtDNA. The frequencies of positions at 106, 169, 16057, 16231 and 16255 nt with high levels of sequence polymorphism were 0.090, 0.555, 0.055, 0.090 and 0.050, respectively. The substitution effect at 169 nt was found significant on milk production, and substitution effect at 16118, 16139 and 16302 nt was highly significant (p<0.1) on milk fat production. Polymorphism of mtDNA sequence in D-loop region might be useful for the analysis of cytoplasmic genetic variation and associations with the other economically important traits and maternal lineage analysis in Holstein cows.

• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.362-367
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• 2005

The human mitochondrial genome (mtDNA) has been an important tool in the field of forensic investigations. Within the entire mtDNA molecule, the non-coding control region which is approximately 1,100 bp including hypervariable region I and II (HV1 and HV2) is widely studied because it is highly polymorphic and useful for human identification purposes. In this study, 360 unrelated Koreans were analyzed in HV1. The number of polymorphic sites and genetic lineage were 124 and 210, respectively. The most prevalent substitution was C-T and 75.8% of DNA showed C-T substitution at 16223. There were 20 kinds of polymorphism between 16180 and 16193 including insertion and deletion. The most frequent haplotype was [16223T, 16362C] representing 5%. Approximately 25.9% of DNA showed the same haplotype in at least two samples. The gene diversity was calculated to 0.996 and the probability of two unrelated perosons having the same haplotype was determined to 0.7%.