• Development and Reproduction
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.393-402
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• 2018

Genomic DNA was isolated from the Gracilaria vermiculophylla (GRV) and G. chorda (GRC) from Jangheung located in the southern sea of the Korean Peninsula, respectively and we performed clustering analyses, DNA polymorphisms and the genetic differences. The seven selected primers OPC-01, OPA-04, OPA-05, OPD-07, OPD-08, OPB-10, and OPD-16 generated average bandsharing (BS) value, the genetic distance and dendrogram. The size of DNA bands varies from 90 bp to 2,400 bp. The average BS value was $0.859{\pm}0.004$ within GRV and $0.916{\pm}0.006$ within GRC. The average BS value between two Gracilaria species was $0.340{\pm}0.003$, ranged from 0.250 to 0.415. The dendrogram obtained by the seven primers, indicates two genetic clusters. The genetic distance between two Gracilaria species ranged from 0.059 to 0.513. The individual VERMICULOPHYLLA no. 07 of GRV was genetically closely related to VERMICULOPHYLLA no. 06 of GRV (genetic distance=0.059). Especially, two entities between the individual VERMICULOPHYLLA no. 10 of GRV and CHORDA no. 22 of GRC showed the longest genetic distance (0.513) in comparison with other individuals used. Accordingly, as mentioned above, PCR analysis showed that the GRV was a little more genetically diverse than the GRC species. We convinced that this DNA analysis revealed a significant genetic distance between two Gracilaria species pairs (p<0.01).

• ALGAE
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.209-217
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• 2008

Two different molecular markers, the plastid rbcL and mitochondrial cox1 genes, were used to define the taxonomic position of the northwest Pacific Ocean species currently named Gracilaria chorda. We analyzed both genes (1,222 bp for rbcL and 1,245 bp for cox1) from 18 specimens collected in Korea, Japan, and China. Phylogenetic reconstruction revealed that this organism should be classified in the genus Gracilariopsis, rather than in the Gracilaria. Thus, Gracilariopsis chorda (Holmes) Ohmi is the legitimate name for Gracilaria chorda Holmes. Within the species, the sequences differed by 8 bp (0.7%) in rbcL and 5 bp (0.4%) in cox1. Six haplotypes of cox1 tended to be geographically organized. Gp. chorda is characterized by coarse, elongate terete axes, short filiform branchlets usually at irregular intervals, an abrupt transition in cell size from medulla to cortex, cystocarps without tubular nutritive cells connecting the gonimoblast to the upper pericarp, and relatively large gonimoblast cells of the cystocarp in the specimens collected from Wando in southern Korea.

• ALGAE
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.141-150
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• 2005

To make a preliminary identification of the gracilarioid plant attached to cultivation ropes of Undaria pinnatifida and establish a method of cultivating this plant, the first taxonomic and cultivation studies on this species in Korea were conducted. This gracilarioid plant was identified from its morphological and anatomical features, as Gracilaria chorda. Growth tests using the 10, 20, and 30 cm cuttings of axes of G. chorda were performed twice, from May 3 to August 21, 2002 and from December 15, 2002 to April 3, 2003 in Ihoijin aquafarm, Hoijin, Jangheung, Jeollanamdo, Korea. In the first growing test, the thallus length of the 10, 20, and 30 cm cuttings increased twelve-fold, ten-fold, and seven-fold; the wet weight increased 81-fold, 60-fold, and 41-fold; the numbers of more than 10 cm-long branches increased 3.8-fold, 5.2-fold, and 6.1-fold, respectively. In the second growth test, the thallus length of the 10, 20, and 30 cm cuttings increased seven-fold, 5.5-fold, and four-fold; the wet weight increased 81-fold, 53-fold and 36-fold; the number of branches increased 3.8-fold, 7.3-fold, and 6.6-fold, respectively. The cultivation of G. chorda by vegetative regeneration using cuttings of thallus axes was successful for the first time in Korea.

• ALGAE
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.329-340
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• 2018

The present study was to determine the effects of salinity on the growth and nutrient bioextraction abilities of Gracilaria and Ulva species, and to determine if these seaweeds can be used for nutrient bioextraction under hypo- and / or hyperosmotic conditions. Two Gracilaria species, G. chorda and G. vermiculophylla, and two Ulva species, U. prolifera and U. compressa, were cultured at various salinity conditions (5, 10, 15, 20, 30, 40, and 50 psu) for 3 weeks. Results showed that the growth rates, nutrient uptake, tissue nutrient contents and nutrient removal were significantly affected by salinity and species. All four species were euryhaline with the highest growth rates at 20 psu. Among the four species, U. prolifera, U. compressa, and G. vermiculophylla showed potential to be used for nutrient bioextraction in estuaries and / or land-based fish farms due to their rapid growth, high nutrient uptake, high tissue carbon and nitrogen accumulation and removal capacities.

• ALGAE
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.81-92
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• 2023

Obesity-induced inflammation is crucial in the pathogenesis of insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. In this study, we investigated the effects of the Gracilaria chorda (GC) on lipid accumulation and obesity-induced inflammatory changes or glucose homeostasis in cell models (3T3-L1 adipocytes and RAW 264.7 macrophages). Samples of GC were extracted using solvents (water, methanol, and ethanol) and subcritical water (SW) at different temperatures (90, 150, and 210℃). The total phenolic content of GCSW extract at 210℃ (GCSW210) showed the highest content compared to others, and GCSW210 highly inhibited lipid accumulation and significantly reduced gene expressions of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ, CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein-α, sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1c, and fatty acid synthase in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. In addition, GCSW210 effectively downregulated the pro-inflammatory cytokine regulator pathways in RAW 264.7 macrophages, including mitogen-activated protein kinase, signal transducers and activators of transcription and nuclear factor-κB. In co-culture of 3T3-L1 adipocytes and RAW 264.7 macrophages, GCSW210 significantly reduced nitric oxide production and interleukin-6 levels, and improved glucose uptake with dose-dependent manner. These findings suggest that GCSW210 improves glucose metabolism by attenuating obesity-induced inflammation in adipocytes, which may be used as a possible treatment option for managing obesity and associated metabolic disorders.