• Proceedings of the Korea Society of Poultry Science Conference
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• 2005.11a
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• pp.68-69
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• 2005

To identify germline chimeric chicken using germ cell transplantation method, the testcross, spends much time, labor and cost to perform, is the only way for distinguishing germline chimeric chicken from normal one And to enhance the method, development of breed-specific molecular markers have been needed. We have just identified breed-specific sequence polymorphisms among Barred Plymouth rock, Korean Ogol Chicken and White Leghorn in PMEL17 and MC1R gene the loci of which are identical to dominant white and extended black loci. These sequence polymorphism will be very useful for screening germline chimera.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.371-383
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• 2014

The nematode Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) offers a unique opportunity for biological and basic medical researches due to its genetic tractability and well-defined developmental lineage. It also provides an exceptional model for genetic, molecular, and cellular analysis of human disease-related genes. Recently, C. elegans has been used as an ideal model for the identification and functional analysis of drugs (or small-molecules) in vivo. In this review, we describe conserved oncogenic signaling pathways (Wnt, Notch, and Ras) and their potential roles in the development of cancer stem cells. During C. elegans germline development, these signaling pathways regulate multiple cellular processes such as germline stem cell niche specification, germline stem cell maintenance, and germ cell fate specification. Therefore, the aberrant regulations of these signaling pathways can cause either loss of germline stem cells or overproliferation of a specific cell type, resulting in sterility. This sterility phenotype allows us to identify drugs that can modulate the oncogenic signaling pathways directly or indirectly through a high-throughput screening. Current in vivo or in vitro screening methods are largely focused on the specific core signaling components. However, this phenotype-based screening will identify drugs that possibly target upstream or downstream of core signaling pathways as well as exclude toxic effects. Although phenotype-based drug screening is ideal, the identification of drug targets is a major challenge. We here introduce a new technique, called Drug Affinity Responsive Target Stability (DARTS). This innovative method is able to identify the target of the identified drug. Importantly, signaling pathways and their regulators in C. elegans are highly conserved in most vertebrates, including humans. Therefore, C. elegans will provide a great opportunity to identify therapeutic drugs and their targets, as well as to understand mechanisms underlying the formation of cancer.

• BMB Reports
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.246-253
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• 2004

Constitutional RB1 gene mutations were studied in a series of 21 families with unilateral and bilateral retinoblastoma patients. Peripheral blood lymphocytes were analyzed by "exon by exon" PCR-heteroduplex and sequencing. Mutations were identified in 6 (29%) of the patients. One mutation corresponded to an intronic polymorphism in g.174351T > A. The other five mutations resulted C to T exonic transitions, four were CGA sequences (g.65386, g.150037 in two patients, and g.162237), creating stop codons and presumably truncated proteins. The fifth one was new and resulted in alanine to valine substitution (g.73774). Two patients had the same the germline truncated mutation (g.150037C > T), one with a familial bilateral early onset retinoblastoma and one with a sporadic unilateral late onset retinoblastoma. The later type has not been previously described. This finding is discussed in the genotype/phenotype correlation context. Additionally, a single nucleotide change was found in six studied samples, where a C to T homozygous transversion was identified in intron 26 (IVS26 + 28). It is worthy the non concordance of the nucleotide with the published sequence. This analysis proved to be a useful method for the detection of mutations in the RB1 gene, and contributed to the adequate genetic counseling to patients and relatives.

• BMB Reports
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• v.49 no.2
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• pp.93-98
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• 2016

Germline stem cells (GSCs) are the best understood adult stem cell types in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, and have provided an important model system for studying stem cells and their cell fate in vivo, in mammals. In this review, we propose a mechanism that controls GSCs and their cell fate through selective activation, repression and mobilization of the specific mRNAs. This mechanism is acutely controlled by known signal transduction pathways (e.g., Notch signaling and Ras-ERK MAPK signaling pathways) and P granule (analogous to mammalian germ granule)-associated mRNA regulators (FBF-1, FBF-2, GLD-1, GLD-2, GLD-3, RNP-8 and IFE-1). Importantly, all regulators are highly conserved in many multi-cellular animals. Therefore, GSCs from a simple animal may provide broad insight into vertebrate stem cells (e.g., hematopoietic stem cells) and their cell fate specification.

• BMB Reports
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• v.43 no.10
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• pp.693-697
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• 2010

Hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC) is an autosomal dominant syndrome characterized by predisposition to early-onset cancers. HNPCC is caused by heterozygous loss-of-function mutations within the mismatch repair genes MLH1, MSH2, MSH6, PMS1, and PMS2. We genotyped the MLH1 and MSH2 genes in patients suffering from Lynch syndrome and in 11 unrelated patients who were diagnosed with colorectal cancer and had subsequently undergone surgery. Five Lynch syndrome patients carried germline mutations in MLH1 or MSH2. Two of these were identified as known mutations in MLH1: deletion of exon 10 and a point mutation (V384D). The remaining three patients exhibited novel mutations: a duplication (937_942dupGAAGTT) in MLH1; deletion of exons 8, 9, and 10; and a point mutation in MLH1 (F396I) combined with multiple missense mutations in MSH2 (D295G, K808E, Q855P, and I884T). The findings underline the importance of efficient pre-screening of conspicuous cases.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.12
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• pp.4915-4920
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• 2015

Background: : Familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) is an autosomal dominant inherited disease mainly caused by mutations of the adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) gene with almost complete penetrance. These colorectal polyps are precancerous lesions that will inevitable develop into colorectal cancer at the median age of 40-year old if total proctocolectomy is not performed. So identification of APC germline mutations has great implications for genetic counseling and management of FAP patients. In this study, we screened APC germline mutations in Chinese FAP patients, in order to find novel mutations and the APC gene germline mutation characteristics of Chinese FAP patients. Materials and Methods: The FAP patients were diagnosed by clinical manifestations, family histories, endoscope and biopsy. Then patients peripheral blood samples were collected, afterwards, genomic DNA was extracted. The mutation analysis of the APC gene was conducted by direct polymerase chain reaction (PCR) sequencing for micromutations and multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) for large duplications and/or deletions. Results: We found 6 micromutations out of 14 FAP pedigrees, while there were no large duplications and/or deletions found. These germline mutations are c.5432C>T(p. Ser1811Leu), two c.3926_3930delAAAAG (p.Glu1309AspfsX4), c.3921_3924delAAAA (p.Ile1307MetfsX13), c3184_3187delCAAA(p.Gln1061AspfsX59) and c4127_4126delAT (p.Tyr1376LysfsX9), respectively, and all deletion mutations resulted in a premature stop codon. At the same time, we found c.3921_3924delAAAA and two c.3926_3930delAAAAG are located in AAAAG short tandem repeats, c3184_3187delCAAA is located in the CAAA interrupted direct repeats, and c4127_4128 del AT is located in the 5'-CCTGAACA-3', 3'-ACAAGTCC-5 palindromes (inverted repeats) of the APC gene. Furthermore, deletion mutations are mostly located at condon 1309. Conclusions: Though there were no novel mutations found as the pathogenic gene of FAP in this study, we found nucleotide sequence containing short tandem repeats and palindromes (inverted repeats), especially the 5 bp base deletion at codon 1309, are mutations in high incidence area in APC gene,.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.459-466
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• 1994

Primordial germ cells (PGCs) in aves are the progenitor cells for the gametes. These cells first appear in the epiblast (Eyal-Giladi et al.. 1981). Then translocate and concentrate to endoderm of germinal crescent area in the junction of the area opaca and area pellucida lateral to the primitive streak in stage 4 through 7. They separate from the endoderm, temporarily circulate via the blood vascular system, leave the blood vessels, and finally settle down in the gonadal anlagen at stage 20-24 where they rapidly proliferate to form germ cells. Recently, several attempts have been made to introduce foreign gene into the avian genome to form a transgenic chicken. The stem cells most readily available as vehicles for genetic manipulation of germline in avian species are the PGCs. PGCs have recently been manipulated genetically and used successfully as a vector for gene transfer.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.449-456
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• 2017

The germline stem cells of the Drosophila ovary continuously produce eggs throughout the life-span. Intricate regulation of stemness and differentiation is critical to this continuous production. The translational regulator Nos is an intrinsic factor that is required for maintenance of stemness in germline stem cells. Nos expression is reduced in differentiating cells at the post-transcriptional level by diverse translational regulators. However, molecular mechanisms underlying Nos repression are not completely understood. Through three distinct protein-protein interaction experiments, we identified specific molecular interactions between translational regulators involved in Nos repression. Our findings suggest a model in which protein complexes assemble on the 3' untranslated region of Nos mRNA in order to regulate Nos expression at the post-transcriptional level.

• BMB Reports
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• v.54 no.5
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• pp.253-259
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• 2021

Aging is characterized by a functional decline in most physiological processes, including alterations in cellular metabolism and defense mechanisms. Increasing evidence suggests that caloric restriction extends longevity and retards age-related diseases at least in part by reducing metabolic rate and oxidative stress in a variety of species, including yeast, worms, flies, and mice. Moreover, recent studies in invertebrates - worms and flies, highlight the intricate interrelation between reproductive longevity and somatic aging (known as disposable soma theory of aging), which appears to be conserved in vertebrates. This review is specifically focused on how the reproductive system modulates somatic aging and vice versa in genetic model systems. Since many signaling pathways governing the aging process are evolutionarily conserved, similar mechanisms may be involved in controlling soma and reproductive aging in vertebrates.

• 대한생식의학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2007.11a
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• pp.43-49
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• 2007