• Development and Reproduction
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.141-156
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• 1997

1992년 1월부터 12월까지 1년간에 걸쳐 전북 군산, 선연리 조하애에서 채집된 개량조개, Mactra chinensis Philippi를 대상으로 생식세포 발달과 생식소 발달양상을 조사하기 위해 토과형 전자현미경으로 미세구조 변활르 관찰하였고, 정확한 산란기를 규명하기 위해 조직학적으로 생식주기를 조사하였다. 개량조개는 장웅이체이다. 난황형성과정은 난모세포의 발달정도에 따라 다르게 나타나고 있다. 전난황형성기 난모세포질 내에서는 핵주변 구여게 골지장치와 수많은 공포들 및 미토콘드리아들이 출현하고 있는데 이들은 차후, 지방적 형성에 관여한다. 난황형성전기 난모세포에서는 지방적 및 지질과립들이 핵막 근처에서 출현하여 피질층쪽으로 분산되는 반면, 같은 발달단계의 난모세포질의 피질구역에서는 피질과립들 (단백질성 난황과립)이 처음으로 생성되어 난황막 근처의 피질층에서 핵주변 구역쪽으로 분산 분포된다. 난황형성후기 난모세포에서는 세포질 내의 골지장치, 공포, 미토콘드리아, 그리고 조면소포체들이 자율합성에 의해 난황과립 형성에 관영하고 있다. 반면, 외인성 물질들인 지질형태의 과립들, 단백질성 물질 및 다량의 글리코겐 입자들이 생식상피 낸에서 출현하고 있는데, 이들 물질이 생식상피에서 난황막 구조물인 미세융모를 통해 난황형성 후기 난모세포의 난질 내로 통과해 들어가는 현상이 관찰되었다. 이와 같은 현상은 난황성성이 일어날 때에 hterosynthesis가 일어나고 있음을 시사한다. 완숙난모세포의 난경은 약 50-60 \mu m이고, 완숙정자 두부의 길이는 대략 3 \mu m이며, 미부의 길이는 약 30 \mu m정도이다. 정자 미부편모의 axoneme은 중앙의 2개의 미세소관(microtubule)과 주변에 위치한 9개의 2중 미세소관 (microtubule)으로 구성되어 있다. 본 종의 산란기는 5월에서 9월 중순에 걸쳐 일어나는데, 주산란시기는 해수수온이 22 \circ C 이상으로 상승하는 6, 7월이다. 따라서 1년에 산란 (번식)시기가 한번 일어나고 있음을 알 수 있다. 생식 주기는 초기활성기 (1-2월), 후기활성기 (2-4월), 완숙기 (4-9월), 산란기 (5-9월) 그리고 퇴화 및 비솰성기 (6-12월)의 연속적인 5단계로 구분할 수 있었다. 재생산에 가담할 수 있는 암, 수개체들의 군성숙도(%)를 조직학적으로 조사한 결과, 각장 3.5-3.9cm 범위의 개체는 55.5%이었고, 5cm 이사인 개체들은 재생산에 100% 참여하였다. 본 종의 암, 수개체들은 만 1년부터 재생산에 가담하는 것으로 추정된다.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.119-123
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• 2008

Pyrimidine antagonists including 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) have been used in chemotherapy for cancer patients for over 40 years. 5-FU, especially, is a mainstay treatment for colorectal cancer. It is a pro-drug that is converted to the active drug via the nucleic acid biosynthetic pathway. The metabolites of 5-FU inhibit normal RNA and DNA function, and induce apoptosis of cancer cells. One of the major obstacles to successful chemotherapy is the resistance of cancer cells to anti-cancer drugs. Therefore, it is important to elucidate resistance mechanisms to improve the efficacy of chemotherapy. We have used C. elegans as a model system to investigate the mechanism of resistance to 5-FU, which induces germ cell death and inhibits larval development in C. elegans. We screened 5-FU resistant mutants no longer arrested as larvae by 5-FU. We obtained 18 mutants out of 72,000 F1 individuals screened, and mapped them into three complementation groups. We propose that C. elegans could be a useful model system for studying mechanisms of resistance to anti-cancer drugs.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.44-50
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• 1996

Sex differentiation in the rockfish, Sebastes schlegeli, was studied by using a histological method for the appearance of primordial germ cell, formation of primitive gonad and differentiation of female and male. The primordial germ cells were buried under fibrous mesenchymal tissue between gut and mesonephric duct of pre-larva with a total length (TL) of 6.3 mm at 2 days after parturition. In juvenile of TL $5.2\~5.9cm$ at 65 days after parturition, the gonad composed of a large number of genial cell and formed of cavity along the lateral side of the gonad, differentiated to the ovary. At this time, the gonad formed seminiferous tubules by somatic cells, differentiated to the testis. In juvenile of TL $7.0\~7.2cm$ cm at 115 days after parturition, gonads divided into testis contained pigment cell and ovary absent pigment cell. S. schlegeli differentiated directly into male or female without an intermediate female phase at early indifferentiated stage. Therefore, S. schlegeli belongs to the differentiated type of gonochoristic teleosts. At 350 days after parturition, sex ratio was approximately 1 : 1(p>0.05).

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2011

Techniques to evaluate gene expression profiling, such as sufficiently sensitive cDNA microarrays or real-time quantitative PCR, are efficient methods for monitoring human pluripotent stem cell (hESC/iPSC) cultures. However, most of these high-throughput tests have a limited use due to high cost, extended turn-around time, and the involvement of highly specialized technical expertise. Hence, there is an urgency of rapid, cost-effective, robust, yet sensitive method development for routine screening of hESCs/hiPSCs. A critical requirement in hESC/hiPSC cultures is to maintain a uniform undifferentiated state and to determine their differentiation capacity by showing the expression of gene markers representing all three germ layers, including ectoderm, mesoderm, and endoderm. To quantify the modulation of gene expression in hESCs/hiPSC during their propagation, expansion, and differentiation via embryoid body (EB) formation, we developed a simple, rapid, inexpensive, and definitive multimarker, semiquantitative multiplex RT-PCR platform technology. Among the 9 gene primers tested, 5 were pluripotent markers comprising set 1, and 3 lineage-specific markers were combined as set 2, respectively. We found that these 2 sets were not only effective in determining the relative differentiation in hESCs/hiPSCs, but were easily reproducible. In this study, we used the hES/hiPS cell lines to standardize the technique. This multiplex RT-PCR assay is flexible and, by selecting appropriate reporter genes, can be designed for characterization of different hESC/hiPSC lines during routine maintenance and directed differentiation.

• Proceedings of the KACD Conference
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• 2003.11a
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• pp.546.2-546
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• 2003

Dental follicle is the mesenchymal tissue which surrounds developing tooth germ. During tooth root development, periodontal components such as cementum, periodontal ligament and alveolar bone are considered to be created by progenitors present in the dental follicle. However, little is known about these progenitors. Previously we observed that cultured bovine dental follicle cells (BDFC) contained putative cementoblast progenitors. To further analyze the biology of these cells, we have attempted to immortalize BDFC by expression of the polycomb group protein Bmi-1 and human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT). The BDFC expressing Bmi-1 and hTERT showed extended life span by 90 population doublings more than normal BDFC, and still contained cells with potential to differentiate into cementoblasts upon implantation into immunodeficiency mice. Among them, we established a clonal cell line designated as BCPb8, which formed cemetum-like mineralized tissue reactive to anti-cementum specific monoclonal antibody, 3G9, and expressed mRNA for bone sialoprotein, osteocalcin, osteopontin and type I collagen upon implantation. Thus with the combination of hTERT and Bmi-1, we succeeded in immortalization of cementoblast progenitor in BDFC without affecting differentiation potential. The BCPb8 progenitor cell line could be a useful tool not only to study cementogenesis but also to develop regeneration therapy for periodontitis.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.59-69
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• 2022

Many efforts have been made to study the expression of aquaporins (AQP) in the mammalian reproductive system, but there are not enough data available regarding their localized expression to fully understand their specific roles in male reproduction. The present study investigated the expression and localization patterns of different AQP subtypes in the adult mouse testes and testicular spermatozoa using an immunofluorescence assay. All the studied AQPs were expressed in the testes and revealed subtype-specific patterns in the intensity and localization depending on the cell types of the testes. AQP7 was the most abundant and intensive AQP subtype in the seminiferous tubules, expressing in Leydig cells and Sertoli cells as well as all stages of germ cells, especially the spermatids and testicular spermatozoa. The expression pattern of AQP3 was similar to that of AQP7, but with higher expression in the basal and lower adluminal compartments rather than the upper adluminalcompartment. AQP8 expression was limited to the spermatogonia and Leydig cells whereas AQP9 expression was exclusive to tails of the testicular spermatozoa and elongated spermatids. Taken together, the abundance and distribution of the AQPs across the different cell types in the testes indicating to their relavance in spermatogenesis, as well as in sperm maturation, transition, and function.

• Proceedings of the Korea Society of Poultry Science Conference
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• 2004.11a
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• pp.9-10
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• 2004

We developed a new panel of markers for the characterization of chicken PGCs. The results of immunostaining demonstrated that anti-SSEA-3, anti-SSEA-4, anti-integrin 6, and anti-integrin 1 antibodies. and STA and DBA bound specifically to chicken PGCs. These reagents could be used to characterize chicken PGCs together with conventional marker reagents such as PAS and anti-SSEA-1 antibody. We also showed that double staining of PGCs with the newly developed markers was feasible, which might contribute to rapid detection and accurate characterization of chicken PGCs.

• Animal cells and systems
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.227-231
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• 2006

Micro-deletions at specific loci of the Y chromosome have been observed frequently in male infertility patients, suggesting that genes in these regions are involved in male germ cell development. DAZ is a representative male infertility gene at the AZFc locus of the Y chromosome. Since DAZ contains an RNA binding motif along with so-called a DAZ domain, it was proposed to participate in RNA metabolism during spermatogenesis. A mouse gene homologous to the human DAZ gene has been cloned and named Dazl (DAZlike). Dazl is autosomal and expressed in the testis and also at a low level in the ovary. Male mice homozygous for the Dazl null allele have small testes with a few spermatogonia and almost complete absence of germ cells beyond the spermatogonial stage, suggesting the requirement of Dazl for entry or progression through meiosis. However, its exact cellular functions have not been understood yet. In order to investigate cellular functions of Dazl, we decided to isolate candidate interacting protein genes of the mouse Dazl, using yeast two-hybrid screening. A number of candidate Dazlinteracting proteins have been isolated, such as Bprp, Acf, Hgs, Murr1, Nbak3 and Ranbp9, but dynein light chain 1 (Dlc1) was most predominant. A strong interaction of Dazl with Dlc1 suggests that Dazl might function as an mRNA adaptor to the dynein motor complex.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Developmental Biology Conference
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• 1998.07a
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• pp.12-18
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• 1998

Tremendous progress has been made over the past quarter-century studying the genetics of gametogenesis and the resulting gametes and embryos. Studies merging molecular techniques and conventional cytogenetics are now beginning to bridge the gap between what we have learned about the meiotic process in males and females and what we know of the mitotic chromosomes of zygotes. Numerical abnormalities in sperm, oocytes and embryo can now diagnosed by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). "At risk" couples can, therefore, have only unaffected embryos replaced in the sterus and avoid the possibility of terminating a pregnancy that might only be diagnosed as affected later gestation. Single-cell genetic analysis has also provided powerful tools for studying genetic defects arising during early human development. Recent studies of sperms, oocytes and cleavage-stage human embryos have revealed an unexpectedly high incidence. These genetic abnormalities are likely to contribute to early pregnancy loss and have important implications for improving pregnancy rates in infertile couples by assisted reproduction. The widespread use of preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) awaits further documentatio of safety and accuracy. Other issues also must be addressed. First, the ethical issues regarding germ cell and embryo screening must be addressed including what diseases are serious enough to warrant the procedure. Another concern is the use of this technology for non-genetic disorders such as gender selection. Finally, the experimental nature of these procedure must continually be discussed with patients, and long-term follow-up studies must be undertaken. Development of more accurate and less expensive assays coupled with improved assisted reproductive technology success rates may make PGD a more widely use clinical tool. The future awaits these development.velopment.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.247-254
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• 2016

Cytological changes of the epithelial cells according to the developmenatal phases of the seminal vesicle related to the spermatogenic stages in the testicular lobules during spermagenesis in male Neptunea (Barbitonia) cumingii (Gastropoda: Buccinidae) were investigated monthly by electron microscopical and histological observations. N. (B) cumingii is dioecious, and an internal fertilization species. The male genital organ is located near the tentacles. The spermatozoon is approximatley $50{\mu}m$ in length. The axoneme of the tail flagellum consists of nine pairs of microtubles at the periphery and one pair at the center. The process of germ cell development during spermatogenesis can be divided into five succesive stages: (1) spermatogonia, (2) primary spermatocytes, (3) secondary spermatocytes, (4) spermatids, and (5) spermatozoa. A considerable amount of spermatozoa make their appearance in the testicular lobules (or acini) and some of them are tranported from the testis towards the seminal vesicles until late July. In this study, the developmental phases of the epithelial cells of the seminal vesicles of N. (B.) cumingii could be classified into four phases: (1) S-I phase (resting), (2) S-IIphase (early accumulating), (3) S-III phase (accumulating), and (4) S-IV phase (spent). However, in case of N. (B.) arthritica cumingii, the developmental phases of the seminal vesicle were devided into three phases: (1) resting, (2) accumulating and (3) spent. Granular bodies in the inner layer of the seminal vesicles are involved in resorption of digestion of residual spermatozoa.