• Journal of Microbiology
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• v.43 no.6
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• pp.523-528
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• 2005

Using the genomic library constructed at the downstream of the niiA promoter, which induces the over-expression of an inserted DNA fragment, we have attempted to screen the genes affecting growth or development by over-expression. The wild-type strain was transformed using the AMA-niiA(p) library and cultured on 1.2 M sorbitol media, in which asexual sporulation is induced, but sexual development is repressed. Over 100,000 strains transformed to $pyrG^+$ were analyzed with regard to any changes in phenotype. Consequently, seven strains were isolated for further analyses. These strains were designated NOT [niiA(p) over-expression transformants] stains. Four of the strains were of the inducible type, and the remaining strains were of the multi-copy suppression type. Two of the inducible-type strains, NOT 1 and NOT40, harbored genes which had been inserted in reverse direction, suggesting that the mutant phenotypes had been derived from an excess amount of anti-sense mRNA. Domain analyses of the deduced polypeptides from the DNA fragments rescued from the transformants revealed that NOT1, NOT40 and NOT6 harbored a LisH motif, a forkhead domain, and a $Zn(II)_2Cys_6$ binuclear zinc cluster, respectively.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.54 no.4
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• pp.471-473
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• 2018

Variovorax sp. PMC12 is a rhizobacterium isolated from tomato rhizosphere and enhanced the plant resistance to abiotic and biotic stresses. Here we present the complete genome sequence of strain PMC12. The genome is comprised of two circular chromosomes harboring 5,873,297 bp and 1,141,940 bp, respectively. A total of 6,436 protein-coding genes, 9 rRNAs, 64 tRNAs, 3 ncRNAs, and 80 pseudogenes were identified. We found genes involved in 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate (ACC) deaminase, antioxidant activity, phosphate solubilization, and biosynthesis of proline and siderophore. Those genes may be related to capability of improving plant resistance to various stresses including salinity, cold temperature, and phytopathogen.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.54 no.4
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• pp.320-324
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• 2018

Chunkookjang, fermented soybean is rich in diverse oligopeptides which derived from cleavage of soybean proteins during fermentation. Microarray data containing differently expressed genes in breast cancer cells treated with fermented soybean extract and well known breast cancer metastasis markers were combined, and a new network was constructed. It is used to check interactions between the marker proteins and the differently expressed genes. Based on the network analysis, PLAU (plasminogen activator, urokinase, uPA) and ERBB2 (epidermal growth factor receptor 2) are chosen as possible metastasis genes. We treated breast cancer MCF7 cells with fermented soybean extract and measured expression levels of PLAU and ERBB2. Fermented soybean extract suppressed PLAU and ERBB2 expressions conspicuously. In the cancer cells treated with fermented soybean extracts, an inflammation marker, NO production was also reduced. It will be interesting to find specific peptides to suppress PLAU and ERBB2 expressions in human breast cancer cells.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• v.5 no.3
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• pp.137-142
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• 2003

The morphology of the leaves and the flowers of angiosperms exhibit remarkable diversity. One of the factors showing the greatest variability of leaf organs is the leaf index, namely, the ratio of leaf length to leaf width. In some cases, different varieties of a single species or closely related species can be distinguished by differences in leaf index. To some extent, the leaf index reflects the morphological adaptation of leaves to a particular environment. In addition, the growth of leaf organs is dependent on the extent of the expansion of leaf cells and on cell proliferation in the cellular level. The rates of the division and enlargement of leaf cells at each stage contribute to the final shape of the leaf, and play important roles throughout leaf development. Thus, the control of leaf shape is related to the control of the shape of cells and the size of cells within the leaf. The shape of flower also reflects the shape of leaf, since floral organs are thought to be a derivative of leaf organs. No good tools have been available for studies of the mechanisms that underlie such biodiversity. However, we have recently obtained some information about molecular mechanisms of leaf morphogenesis as a result of studies of leaves of the model plant, Arabidopsis thaliana. For example, the ANGUSTIFOLIA (AN) gene, a homolog of animal CtBP genes, controls leaf width. AN appears to regulate the polar elongation of leaf cells via control of the arrangement of cortical microtubules. By contrast, the ROTUNDIFOLIA3 (ROT3) gene controls leaf length via the biosynthesis of steroid(s). We provide here an overview of the biodiversity exhibited by the leaf index of angiosperms. Taken together, we can discuss on the possibility of the control of the shapes and size of plant organs by transgenic approaches with the results from basic researches. For example, transgenic plants that overexpressed a wildtype ROT3 gene had longer leaves than parent plants, without any changes in leaf width. Thus, The genes for leaf growth and development, such as ROT3 gene, should be useful tools for the biodesign of plant organs.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Plant Biotechnology Conference
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• 2003.04a
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• pp.49-55
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• 2003

The morphology of the leaves and the flowers of angiosperms exhibit remarkable diversity. One of the factors showing the greatest variability of leaf organs is the leaf index, namely, the ratio of leaf length to leaf width. In some cases, different varieties of a single species or closely related species can be distinguished by differences in leaf index. To some extent, the leaf index reflects the morphological adaptation of leaves to a particular environment. In addition, the growth of leaf organs is dependent on the extent of the expansion of leaf cells and on cell proliferation in the cellular level. The rates of the division and enlargement of leaf cells at each stage contribute to the final shape of the leaf, and play important roles throughout leaf development. Thus, the control of leaf shape is related to the control of the shape of cells and the size of cells within the leaf. The shape of flower also reflects the shape of leaf, since floral organs are thought to be a derivative of leaf organs. No good tools have been available for studies of the mechanisms that underlie such biodiversity. However, we have recently obtained some information about molecular mechanisms of leaf morphogenesis as a result of studies of leaves of the model plant, Arabidopsis thaliana. For example, the ANGUSTIFOLIA (AN) gene, a homolog of animal CtBP genes, controls leaf width. AN appears to regulate the polar elongation of leaf cells via control of the arrangement of cortical microtubules. By contrast, the ROTUNDIFOLIA3 (ROT3) gene controls leaf length via the biosynthesis of steroid(s). We provide here an overview of the biodiversity exhibited by the leaf index of angiosperms. Taken together, we can discuss on the possibility of the control of the shapes and size of plant organs by transgenic approaches with the results from basic researches. For example, transgenic plants that overexpressed a wild-type ROT3 gene had longer leaves than parent plants, without any changes in leaf width. Thus, The genes for leaf growth and development, such as ROT3 gene, should be useful tools for the biodesign of plant organs.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.47 no.4
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• pp.487-497
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• 2019

Fetal Bovine Serum (FBS) is an essential substance added to animal cell culture medium. However, its composition is unclear causing problems such as development of an immune response when cultured cells are transplanted into the human body. In this study, silk sericin, silk fibroin, and hemolymph obtained from silkworms were added to the cell culture medium in order to determine if it can replace FBS. After establishment of the cell culture, cell proliferation and expression levels of cell growth-related genes were compared with those of control cells (cells cultured in the medium with 10% FBS). Results showed that the test group treated with silk fibroin extracted from a Korean silkworm variety, Kumokjam could replace 10% FBS. In addition, expression levels of cell growth related genes such as Fibronectin and TGF-β1 increased significantly in cells cultured using silk fibroin, depending on the concentration used in cell adhesion and cell proliferation [24]. To date, no studies have been conducted to find a replacement for FBS. Thus, this study was carried out to develop a substitute for FBS by using silkworm-derived alternatives such as silkworm hemolymph, silk sericin, and silk fibroin, which are cheap and have various physiological effects, cell promoting effects, and can be mass produced.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.49 no.3
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• pp.175-184
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• 2022

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the impacts of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and conditioned medium (CM) derived from endometrial stromal cells on mouse preantral follicle culture in a two-dimensional system to produce competent mature oocytes for fertilization. Methods: In total, 240 preantral follicles were isolated from female mouse ovarian tissue and divided into four groups. The preantral follicles were isolated three times for each group and then cultured, respectively, in the presence of alpha minimum essential medium (control), PRP, CM, and PRP+CM. The in vitro growth, in vitro maturation, and cleavage percentage of the preantral follicles were investigated. Immunocytochemistry (IHC) was also conducted to monitor the meiotic progression of the oocytes. Additionally, the mRNA expression levels of the two folliculogenesis-related genes (Gdf9 and Bmp15) and two apoptosis-related genes (Bcl2 and Bax) were investigated using real-time polymerase chain reaction. Results: In the PRP, CM, and PRP+CM groups, the preantral follicle maturation (evaluated by identifying polar bodies) were greater than the control group. The cleavage rate in the CM, and PRP+CM groups were also greater than the control group. IHC analysis demonstrated that in each treatment group, meiotic spindle was normal. In the PRP+CM group, the gene expression levels of Bmp15, Gdf9, and Bcl2 were greater than in the other groups. The Bax gene was more strongly expressed in the PRP and control groups than in the other groups. Conclusion: Overall, the present study suggests that the combination of CM and PRP can effectively increase the growth and cleavage rate of mouse preantral follicles in vitro.

• The Plant Pathology Journal
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.182-193
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• 2022

Turfgrass, the most widely grown ornamental crop, is severely affected by fungal pathogens including Sclerotinia homoeocarpa, Rhizoctonia solani, and Magnaporthe poae. At present, turfgrass fungal disease management predominantly relies on synthetic fungicide treatments. However, the extensive application of fungicides to the soil increases residual detection frequency, raising concerns for the environment and human health. The bacterial volatile compound, 2,3-butanediol (BDO), was found to induce plant resistance. In this study, we evaluated the disease control efficacy of a combination of stereoisomers of 2,3-BDO and commercial fungicides against turfgrass fungal diseases in both growth room and fields. In the growth room experiment, the combination of 0.9% 2R,3R-BDO (levo) soluble liquid (SL) formulation and 9% 2R,3S-BDO (meso) SL with half concentration of fungicides significantly increased the disease control efficacy against dollar spot and summer patch disease when compared to the half concentration of fungicide alone. In field experiments, the disease control efficiency of levo 0.9% and meso 9% SL, in combination with a fungicide, was confirmed against dollar spot and large patch disease. Additionally, the induction of defense-related genes involved in the salicylic acid and jasmonic acid/ethylene signaling pathways and reactive oxygen species detoxification-related genes under Clarireedia sp. infection was confirmed with levo 0.9% and meso 9% SL treatment in creeping bentgrass. Our findings suggest that 2,3-BDO isomer formulations can be combined with chemical fungicides as a new integrated tool to control Clarireedia sp. infection in turfgrass, thereby reducing the use of chemical fungicides.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.30 no.6
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• pp.878-885
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• 2017

Objective: Glucose is an essential fuel in the energy metabolism and synthesis pathways of all mammalian cells. In lactating animals, glucose is the major precursor for lactose and is a substrate for the synthesis of milk proteins and fat in mammary secretory (alveolar) epithelial cells. However, clear utilization of glucose in mammary cells during lactogenesis is still unknown, due to the lack of in vitro analyzing models. Therefore, the objective of this study was to test the reliability of the mammary alveolar (MAC-T) cell as an in vitro study model for glucose metabolism and lactating system. Methods: Undifferentiated MAC-T cells were cultured in three types of Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium with varying levels of glucose (no-glucose: 0 g/L, low-glucose: 1 g/L, and high-glucose: 4.5 g/L) for 8 d, after which differentiation to casein secretion was induced. Cell proliferation and expression levels of apoptotic genes, Insulin like growth factor-1 (IGF1) receptor, oxytocin receptor, ${\alpha}S1$, ${\alpha}S2$, and ${\beta}$ casein genes were analyzed at 1, 2, 4, and 8 d after differentiation. Results: The proliferation of MAC-T cells with high-glucose treatment was seen to be significantly higher. Expression of apoptotic genes was not affected in any group. However, expression levels of the mammary development related gene (IGF1 receptor) and lactation related gene (oxytocin receptor) were significantly higher in the low-glucose group. Expressions of ${\alpha}S1-casein$, ${\alpha}S2-casein$, and ${\beta}-casein$ were also higher in the low-glucose treated group as compared to that in the no-glucose and high-glucose groups. Conclusion: The results demonstrated that although a high-glucose environment increases cell proliferation in MAC-T cells, a low-glucose treatment to MAC-T cells induces higher expression of casein genes. Our results suggest that the MAC-T cells may be used as an in vitro model to analyze mammary cell development and lactation connected with precise biological effects.

• Molecular & Cellular Toxicology
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.62-71
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• 2005

For toxicity model in the kidney, renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is one of the most important model to assess the structural and functional alterations. Most RCCs are sporadic, and environmental agents are suspected to play a role in the etiology of the disease. In this study, we discovered novel evidence for previously unknown gene expression patterns related to progression according to cancer stage in RCC. Four clear cell RCC tissue samples along with five corresponding patient-matched normal kidney tissue samples were obtained from patients undergoing partial or radical nephrectomy. To examine the difference of gene expression profile in clear cell RCC, radioactive cDNA microarrays were used to evaluate changes in the expression of 1,152 genes in a total. Using $^{33}P-labeled$ probes, this method provided highly sensitive gene expression profiles including drug metabolism, and cellular signaling. 29 genes were identified with expression levels that differed by more than 2.0 value of z-ratio, compared with that in control. Whereas expression of 38 genes were decreased by less than-2.0 value of z-ratio. In conclusion, this study has identified 67 gene expression alterations in clear-cell type of RCC. Most notably, genes involved in cell growth were up-regulated in stage I more than stage III whereas genes involved in signal transduction were down-regulated in which both stage I and stage III. The identified alteraions of gene expression will likely give in sight in to clear cell RCC and tumor progression.