• Korean Circulation Journal
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• v.54 no.9
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• pp.577-586
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• 2024

Background and Objectives: Kawasaki disease (KD) is an acute vasculitis that primarily affects children under age 5 years. Approximately 20-25% of untreated children with KD and 3-5% of those treated with intravenous immunoglobulin therapy develop coronary artery aneurysms (CAAs). The prevalence of CAAs is much higher in male than in female patients with KD, but the underlying factors contributing to susceptibility to CAAs in patients with KD remain unclear. This study aimed to identify sex-specific susceptibility loci associated with CAAs in KD patients. Methods: A sex-stratified genome-wide association study (GWAS) was performed using previously obtained GWAS data from 296 KD patients and a new replication study in an independent set of 976 KD patients by comparing KD patients without CAA (controls) and KD patients with aneurysms (internal diameter ≥5 mm) (cases). Results: Six male-specific susceptibility loci, PDE1C, NOS3, DLG2, CPNE8, FUNDC1, and GABRQ (odds ratios [ORs], 2.25-9.98; p=0.00204-1.96×10^-6), and 2 female-specific susceptibility loci, SMAD3 (OR, 4.59; p=0.00016) and IL1RAPL1 (OR, 4.35; p=0.00026), were significantly associated with CAAs in patients with KD. In addition, the numbers of CAA risk alleles additively contributed to the development of CAAs in patients with KD. Conclusions: A sex-stratified GWAS identified 6 male-specific (PDE1C, NOS3, DLG2, CPNE8, FUNDC1, and GABRQ) and 2 female-specific (SMAD3 and IL1RAPL1) CAA susceptibility loci in patients with KD.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.41 no.11
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• pp.953-963
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• 2018

The stepwise development of T cells from a multipotent precursor is guided by diverse mechanisms, including interactions among lineage-specific transcription factors (TFs) and epigenetic changes, such as DNA methylation and hydroxymethylation, which play crucial roles in mammalian development and lineage commitment. To elucidate the transcriptional networks and epigenetic mechanisms underlying T-cell lineage commitment, we investigated genome-wide changes in gene expression, DNA methylation and hydroxymethylation among populations representing five successive stages of T-cell development (DN3, DN4, DP, $CD4^+$, and $CD8^+$) by performing RNA-seq, MBD-seq and hMeDIP-seq, respectively. The most significant changes in the transcriptomes and epigenomes occurred during the DN4 to DP transition. During the DP stage, many genes involved in chromatin modification were up-regulated and exhibited dramatic changes in DNA hydroxymethylation. We also observed 436 alternative splicing events, and approximately 57% (252) of these events occurred during the DP stage. Many stage-specific, differentially methylated regions were observed near the stage-specific, differentially expressed genes. The dynamic changes in DNA methylation and hydroxymethylation were associated with the recruitment of stage-specific TFs. We elucidated interactive networks comprising TFs, chromatin modifiers, and DNA methylation and hope that this study provides a framework for the understanding of the molecular networks underlying T-cell lineage commitment.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.28 no.7
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• pp.926-935
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• 2015

The efficiency of genome-wide association analysis (GWAS) depends on power of detection for quantitative trait loci (QTL) and precision for QTL mapping. In this study, three different strategies for GWAS were applied to detect QTL for carcass quality traits in the Korean cattle, Hanwoo; a linkage disequilibrium single locus regression method (LDRM), a combined linkage and linkage disequilibrium analysis (LDLA) and a $BayesC{\pi}$ approach. The phenotypes of 486 steers were collected for weaning weight (WWT), yearling weight (YWT), carcass weight (CWT), backfat thickness (BFT), longissimus dorsi muscle area, and marbling score (Marb). Also the genotype data for the steers and their sires were scored with the Illumina bovine 50K single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) chips. For the two former GWAS methods, threshold values were set at false discovery rate <0.01 on a chromosome-wide level, while a cut-off threshold value was set in the latter model, such that the top five windows, each of which comprised 10 adjacent SNPs, were chosen with significant variation for the phenotype. Four major additive QTL from these three methods had high concordance found in 64.1 to 64.9Mb for Bos taurus autosome (BTA) 7 for WWT, 24.3 to 25.4Mb for BTA14 for CWT, 0.5 to 1.5Mb for BTA6 for BFT and 26.3 to 33.4Mb for BTA29 for BFT. Several candidate genes (i.e. glutamate receptor, ionotropic, ampa 1 [GRIA1], family with sequence similarity 110, member B [FAM110B], and thymocyte selection-associated high mobility group box [TOX]) may be identified close to these QTL. Our result suggests that the use of different linkage disequilibrium mapping approaches can provide more reliable chromosome regions to further pinpoint DNA makers or causative genes in these regions.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Crop Science Conference
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• 2017.06a
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• pp.145-145
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• 2017

Foxglove aphid, Aulacorthum solani (Kaltenbach), is a Hemipteran insect that infected a wide variety of plants worldwide and caused serious yield losses in crops. The objective of this study was to identify the putative genes to foxglove aphid resistance in wild soybean, PI 366121 (Glycine soja Sieb. and Zucc.). One hundred and forty-one F4:8 recombinant inbred lines developed from a cross between susceptible variety, Williams 82 and foxglove aphid resistance wild soybean, PI 366121 were used. The two type of resistance response, antibiosis and antixenosis resistance were evaluated through choice and no-choice test, graded by the degree of total plant damage and primary infestation leaf damage; a genome-wide molecular linkage map was constructed with 29,898 single-nucleotide polymorphism markers utilizing a Axiom(R) 180K soyaSNP array. Using inclusive composite interval mapping analysis for foxglove aphid resistance, one major candidate QTL on chromosome 7 was identified. The major QTL on chromosome 7 showed both antixenosis and antibiosis resistance responses. The newly identified major QTL was consistent with previously reported QTL, Raso2, which showed around 5 times narrow down interval range with 8 candidate genes. Furthermore, total 1,115 soybean varieties including Glycine soja and Glycine max were exposed to germplasm screening, and 31 varieties, which showed significant antibiosis type foxglove aphid resistance were identified. This result could be useful in breeding for new foxglove aphid resistant soybean cultivars and developing novel insecticides.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.511-520
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• 2015

Triclosan, the widely used biocide, specifically targets enoyl-acyl carrier protein reductase (ENR) in the bacterial fatty acid synthesis system. Although the fish pathogen Aeromonas salmonicida subsp. salmonicida exhibits triclosan resistance, the nature of this resistance has not been elucidated. Here, we aimed to characterize the triclosan resistance of A. salmonicida subsp. salmonicida causing furunculosis. The fosmid library of triclosan-resistant A. salmonicida subsp. salmonicida was constructed to select a fosmid clone showing triclosan resistance. With the fosmid clone showing triclosan resistance, a subsequent secondary library search resulted in the selection of subclone pTSR-1. DNA sequence analysis of pTSR-1 revealed the presence of a chromosomal-borne fabV-encoding ENR homolog. The ENR of A. salmonicida (FabVas) exhibited significant homology with previously known FabV, including the catalytic domain YX₍₈₎K. fabVas introduction into E. coli dramatically increased its resistance to triclosan. Heterologous expression of FabVas might functionally replace the triclosan-sensitive FabI in vivo to confer E. coli with triclosan resistance. A genome-wide search for fabVas homologs revealed the presence of an additional fabV gene (fabVas2) paralog in A. salmonicida strains and the fabVas orthologs from other gram-negative fish pathogens. Both of the potential FabV ENRs expressed similarly with or without triclosan supplement. This is the first report about the presence of two potential FabV ENRs in a single pathogenic bacterium. Our result suggests that triclosan-resistant ENRs are widely distributed in various bacteria in nature, and the wide use of this biocide can spread these triclosan-tolerant ENRs among fish pathogens and other pathogenic bacteria.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.82 no.2
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• pp.126-132
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• 2019

Background: The development of lung cancer results from the interaction between genetic mutations and dynamic epigenetic alterations, although the exact mechanisms are not completely understood. Changes in DNA methylation may be a promising biomarker for early detection and prognosis of lung cancer. We evaluated the serial changes in genome-wide DNA methylation patterns in blood samples of lung cancer patients. Methods: Blood samples were obtained for three consecutive years from three patients (2 years before, 1 year before, and after lung cancer detection) and from three control subjects (without lung cancer). We used the MethylationEPIC BeadChip method, which covers the 850,000 bp cytosine-phosphate-guanine (CpG) site, to conduct an epigenome-wide analysis. Significant differentially methylated regions (DMRs) were identified using p-values <0.05 in a correlation test identifying serial methylation changes and serial increase or decrease in ${\beta}$ value above 0.1 for three consecutive years. Results: We found three significant CpG sites with differentially methylated ${\beta}$ values and 7,105 CpG sites with significant correlation from control patients without lung cancer. However, there were no significant DMRs. In contrast, we found 11 significant CpG sites with differentially methylated ${\beta}$ values and 10,562 CpG sites with significant correlation from patients with lung cancer. There were two significant DMRs: cg21126229 (RNF212) and cg27098574 (BCAR1). Conclusion: This study revealed DNA methylation changes that might be implicated in lung cancer development. The DNA methylation changes may be the possible candidate target regions for the early detection and prevention of lung cancer.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.39 no.5
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• pp.367-374
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• 2016

Since the RNA world hypothesis was proposed, a large number of regulatory noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) have been identified in many species, ranging from microorganisms to mammals. During the characterization of these newly discovered RNAs, RNAs having both coding and noncoding functions were discovered, and these were considered bifunctional RNAs. The recent use of computational and high-throughput experimental approaches has revealed increasing evidence of various sources of bifunctional RNAs, such as protein-coding mRNAs with a noncoding isoform and long ncRNAs bearing a small open reading frame. Therefore, the genomic diversity of Janusfaced RNA molecules that have dual characteristics of coding and noncoding indicates that the functional roles of RNAs have to be revisited in cells on a genome-wide scale. Such studies would allow us to further understand the complex gene-regulatory network in cells. In this review, we discuss three major genomic sources of bifunctional RNAs and present a handful of examples of bifunctional RNA along with their functional roles.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.55 no.4
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• pp.231-235
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• 2013

Carcass weight (CW) is one of the most important economic traits in pigs, directly affecting the income of farmers. In this study, a genome wide association study was performed to detect significant single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) affecting CW in pigs derived from a $F_2$ intercross between Landrace and Korean native pig (KNP). Using high-density porcine SNP chips, highly significant SNPs were identified on SSC12. Two candidate genes, LOC100523510 and LOC100621652, were subsequently selected within this region and further investigated. Within these candidate genes, five SNPs were identified and genotyped using the VeraCode GoldenGate assay. The results revealed that one SNP in the LOC100621652 gene and four SNPs in the LOC100523510 gene are highly associated with CW. These SNP markers can thus have significant applications for improving CW in KNP. However, the functions of these candidate genes are not fully understood and require further study.

• Journal of Haehwa Medicine
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.73-84
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• 2013

단삼(丹蔘) (Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge)은 꿀풀과 배암차즈기속에 속하며 중국(中國)이 원산지(原産地)인 여러해살이풀로, 동의보감(東醫寶鑑)에는 "성질(性質)은 약간 차고 맛이 쓰며 독(毒)이 없다. 다리가 약하면서 저리고 아픈것과 팔다리를 쓰지 못하는 것을 치료한다. 또는 고름을 빨아내고 아픈 것을 멎게 하며 살찌게 하고 오래된 어혈(瘀血)을 헤치며${\ldots}$" 등으로 기술되어 있으며 이전부터 부인과(婦人科)에 많이 응용하는 약재 중 하나로 그 효능이 어혈(瘀血)을 없애는데 있기 때문이다. 임상(臨床)에서는 부인과(婦人科) 질환(疾患)뿐만 아니라 심혈관(心血管) 질환(疾患)에도 사용되고 있다. 본 연구에서는 이러한 효능의 객관적 근거를 마련하고 약재의 작용 기전 중 일부를 확인하기 위해 고지혈증이 유발된 생쥐에 단삼(丹蔘) 추출물을 투여하여 혈중 콜레스테롤 및 트리글리세라이드 수치를 낮추는 작용을 확인했으며 동시에 간조직 내 지방의 축적도 억제하는 것으로 나타났다. 이러한 변화가 간조직 내 유전자의 변화와 어떠한 관련이 있는지 확인하기 위해 RNA를 분리하여 Microarray 분석을 수행한 결과 고지혈증으로 인해 변화된 유전자들이 단삼(丹蔘) 추출물의 투여로 인해 정상에 가까운 정도로 조절됨을 확인하였으며 향후 본 연구를 통해 확인된 핵심 유전자를 고지혈증 치료의 지표 등으로 활용할 수 있을 것으로 기대된다.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.709-717
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• 2017

Mucosal tissues are the initial site through which most pathogens invade. As such, vaccines and adjuvants that modulate mucosal immune functions have emerged as important agents for disease prevention. Herein, we investigated the immunomodulatory mechanisms of the B subunit of Escherichia coli heat-labile enterotoxin type IIa ($LT-IIa-B_5$), a potent non-toxic mucosal adjuvant. Alternations in gene expression in response to $LT-IIa-B_5$ were identified using a genome-wide transcriptional microarray that focused on dendritic cells (DC), a type of cell that broadly orchestrates adaptive and innate immune responses. We found that $LT-IIa-B_5$ enhanced the homing capacity of DC into the lymph nodes and selectively regulated transcription of pro-inflammatory cytokines, chemokines, and cytokine receptors. These data are consistent with a model in which directional activation and differentiation of immune cells by $LT-IIa-B_5$ serve as a critical mechanism whereby this potent adjuvant amplifies mucosal immunity to co-administered antigens.