• BMB Reports
• /
• v.37 no.5
• /
• pp.625-628
• /
• 2004

Homeobox genes encode a family of transcription factors that have essential roles in regulating the development of eukaryotes. Although they have been extensively studied in different phyla, relatively little is known about homeobox-containing genes and their function in molluscs. In this study, we used a polymerase chain reaction to investigate homeobox genes in the bivalve mollusc Pecten maximus. Four different homeobox sequences were identified; two were homologues of the non-Hox cluster gene caudal and the two remaining sequences had a significant homology to the ANT-C gene proboscipedia. These sequences represent the first cad and pb homologues isolated from a member of the class Bivalvia, phylum Mollusca.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
• /
• v.40 no.3
• /
• pp.107-114
• /
• 2013

Homeobox genes play essential roles in embryonic development and reproduction. Recently, a large cluster of homeobox genes, reproductive homeobox genes on the X chromosome (Rhox) genes, was discovered as three gene clusters, ${\alpha}$, ${\beta}$, and ${\gamma}$ in mice. It was found that Rhox genes were selectively expressed in reproduction-associated tissues, such as those of the testes, epididymis, ovaries, and placenta. Hence, it was proposed that Rhox genes are important for regulating various reproductive features, especially gametogenesis in male as well as in female mammals. It was first determined that 12 Rhox genes are clustered into ${\alpha}$ (Rhox1-4), ${\beta}$ (Rhox5-9), and ${\gamma}$ (Rhox10-12) subclusters, and recently Rhox13 has also been found. At present, 33 Rhox genes have been identified in the mouse genome, 11 in the rat, and three in the human. Rhox genes are also responsible for embryonic development, with considerable amounts of Rhox expression in trophoblasts, placenta tissue, embryonic stem cells, and primordial germ cells. In this article we summarized the current understanding of Rhox family genes involved in reproduction and embryonic development and elucidated a previously unreported cell-specific expression in ovarian cells.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
• /
• v.39 no.2
• /
• pp.87-93
• /
• 2012

Objective: Lin28 has been known to control the proliferation and pluripotency of embryonic stem cells. The purpose of this study was to determine the downstream effectors of Lin28 in mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs) by RNA interference and microarray analysis. Methods: The control siRNA and Lin28 siRNA (Dharmacon) were transfected into mESCs. Total RNA was prepared from each type of transfected mESC and subjected to reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis to confirm the downregulation of Lin28. The RNAs were labeled and hybridized with an Affymetrix Gene-Chip Mouse Genome 430 2.0 array. The data analysis was accomplished by GenPlex 3.0 software. The expression levels of selected genes were confirmed by quantitative real-time RT-PCR. Results: According to the statistical analysis of the cDNA microarray, a total of 500 genes were altered in Lin28-downregulated mESCs (up-regulated, 384; down-regulated, 116). After differentially expressed gene filtering, 31 genes were selected as candidate genes regulated by Lin28 downregulation. Among them, neuropeptide Y5 receptor and oocyte-specific homeobox 5 genes were significantly upregulated in Lin28-downregulated mESCs. We also showed that the families of neuropeptide Y receptor (Npyr) and oocyte-specific homeobox (Obox) genes were upregulated by downregulation of Lin28. Conclusion: Based on the results of this study, we suggest that Lin28 controls the characteristics of mESCs through the regulation of effectors such as the Npyr and Obox families.

• Proceedings of the Zoological Society Korea Conference
• /
• 1999.04a
• /
• pp.63.2-63
• /
• 1999

No Abstract, See Full Text

• Proceedings of the Zoological Society Korea Conference
• /
• 1999.10b
• /
• pp.178.2-178
• /
• 1999

No Abstract, See Full Text

• Proceedings of the Zoological Society Korea Conference
• /
• 1996.10a
• /
• pp.160.1-160
• /
• 1996

No Abstract, See Full Text

• Animal cells and systems
• /
• v.2 no.1
• /
• pp.81-86
• /
• 1998

Recent identification and characterization of plant homeobox genes suggest that they play important roles in morphogenetic events. OSH1, one of the rice homeobox genes, is thought to be related to organ development since the changes of OSH1 gene expression cause morphological abnormalities of leaves by the ectopic expression and is expressed during early embryogenesis. In this experiment, the expression pattern of OSH1 was analyzedinmutants by in situ hybridization, and OSH1's potential as a molecular marker was explored. Region-specific expression of OSH1 during early embryogenesis shows that OSH1 could be used as a molecular marker for characterizing embryo mutants. Although several organless and shootless mutants showed normal expression of OSM1, some mutants exhibited abnormal expression patterns. In a minute organless cle1-1 embryo whose epidermis resembled morphologically the epithelium of scutellum, OSH1 expression was limited to a small basal region. This expression pattern suggests the gross deletion of the basal part. In a radicleless mutant, odm115, OSH1 expression was detected in a basal region instead of subcentral region of the ventral side. Together with other characteristics (short embryo and normal adventitious roots), odm115 was estimated to be derived from the deletion of basal region. Among five shootless mutants, three showed normal expression of OSH1. In the shl2 embryo, no expression of OSH1 was observed. In the shl1 embryo, however, OSH1 expression was extended to a dorsal side, indicating that SHL2 might be related to dorsoventral patterning. The above results of in situ hybrydization clearly indicate that OSH1 can be utilized as a marker for characterizing gene functions of embryo mutants.

• BMB Reports
• /
• v.37 no.6
• /
• pp.671-675
• /
• 2004

The expression and clinicopathological significance of Quox-1 gene was studied in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Immunocytochemistry and western blot analysis were used to examine the different expressions of Quox-1 protein in 114 OSCC specimens, 34 oral epithelial dysplasia specimens, and 16 normal oral mucosa specimens. RT-PCR and virtual Northern Blot were also used to examine the expression of Quox-1 mRNA. It was found that Quox-1 was not expressed in normal epithelium. However, as dysplastic lesions progressed Quox-1 expression increased (p < 0.01), and Quox-1 expression was not significantly different between severe dysplasia and highly differentiated OSCCs (p > 0.05). As the degree of differentiation decreased, Quox-1 positivity increased in OSCC (p < 0.01), and the rate of Quox-1 (81.58%) positivity in OSCC was higher than that in normal oral mucosa (p < 0.01). Our findings imply that the positive expression of Quox-1 is correlated with the histological classification of OSCCs. Thus, the expression of Quox-1 in OSCC may serve as a significant predicting factor of proliferative status and malignant degree, and it may also be a biological detection marker of oral mucosas initial cancer and of OSCC.

• Journal of Marine Life Science
• /
• v.6 no.2
• /
• pp.97-105
• /
• 2021

Tegillarca granosa, is one of the most important fishery resources throughout Asia. However, due to industrialization factories, marine environmental pollution, and global warming, the marine fishery production has drop sharply. In order to understand the genetic factors of the blood clam, which is a major fishery resource on the southern coast of Korea, the whole genome of blood clam was studied. The assembled genome of T. granosa was 915.4 Mb, and 19 chromosomes were identified. 25,134 genes were identified, and 22,745 genes were functionally annotated. As a result of performing gene gain and loss analysis between the blood clam genome and eight other types of shellfish, it was confirmed that 725 gene groups were expanded, and 479 gene groups were contracted. The homeobox gene cluster of blood clam showed a well-preserved genetic structure within lophotrochozoan ancestor. T. granosa genome showed high similarity between three hemoglobin genes with Scarpharca broughtonii. The blood clam genome will provide information for the genetic and physiological characteristics of blood clam adaptation, evolution, and the development of aquaculture industry.

• Proceedings of the Zoological Society Korea Conference
• /
• 1998.10b
• /
• pp.227.1-227
• /
• 1998

No Abstract, See Full Text