• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.26 no.12
• /
• pp.1665-1671
• /
• 2013

Real-time quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR) is one of the important methods for investigating the changes in mRNA expression levels in cells and tissues. Selection of the proper reference genes is very important when calibrating the results of real-time quantitative PCR. Studies on the selection of reference genes in goat tissues are limited, despite the economic importance of their meat and dairy products. We used real-time quantitative PCR to detect the expression levels of eight reference gene candidates (18S, TBP, HMBS, YWHAZ, ACTB, HPRT1, GAPDH and EEF1A2) in ten tissues types sourced from Boer goats. The optimal reference gene combination was selected according to the results determined by geNorm, NormFinder and Bestkeeper software packages. The analyses showed that tissue is an important variability factor in genes expression stability. When all tissues were considered, 18S, TBP and HMBS is the optimal reference combination for calibrating quantitative PCR analysis of gene expression from goat tissues. Dividing data set by tissues, ACTB was the most stable in stomach, small intestine and ovary, 18S in heart and spleen, HMBS in uterus and lung, TBP in liver, HPRT1 in kidney and GAPDH in muscle. Overall, this study provided valuable information about the goat reference genes that can be used in order to perform a proper normalisation when relative quantification by qRT-PCR studies is undertaken.

• Proceedings of the Korean Aquaculture Society Conference
• /
• 2003.10a
• /
• pp.134-135
• /
• 2003

The geographic expansion of the toxic dinoflagellates genus Alexandrium has been shown to be world wide ranging. The members of the genus Alexandrium ocnstituted of 20-30 species did not show substantial differences in their morphology, which is mostly referred in the 'tamarensis species complex', except some species. Though rDNA sequences variations are very few and pseudogene types are so diverse that it is difficult to use them as the specific markers. In this study, we outlined Korean and Japanese A, tamarense and A. catenella regional isolates by phylogenetic analysis inferred from no cutting alignments of LSU rDNA D1-D2 and SSU rDNA sequences to group these regional isolates. The results were compared to RFLP patterns of PCR products targeted chloroplast DNA. Lastly screening of highly repeated microsatellite DNA which is frequently used for population analysis in eukaryotes was conducted. A. catenella regional strains identified by the sequencing of rDNA D1-D2 domain were divided into at least 3 groups of type E, CMC and Chinese type, divergence root may not be deep comparing with that of A. tamarense whose pseudogenes are very variable. Results of RFLP pattern and the phylogeny of the unknown gene targeting chloroplast showed that Korean and Japanese A. catenella regional isolates were divided into 3 types: Korean, Japanese and the third CMC types. Population-specific PCR amplification with Japanese A. catenella type-specific PCR primers was useful method for population analysis of A. catenella. Various types of satellite sequences such as 5 nucleotides repeats were obtained from A. tamarense and A. catenella. The 5 nucleotides repeats were primed at the both 3'and 5' ends, and these repeats were prominent as longer repeated motifs. This repeated DNA was intercalated as internal sequences containing various types subrepeats. It is expected that these satellite DNA would be a useful molecular population marker through detail comparison among Alexandrium regional isolates to trace their transferring pathway and to prevent their human-associated their regional extents.

• Journal of the Korean Chemical Society
• /
• v.48 no.1
• /
• pp.33-38
• /
• 2004

Mutation of p53 tumor suppressor gene in HNSCC (head and neck squamous cell carcinoma) has been proposed high rate. We extracted genomic DNA from 50 head and neck cancer. The DNA was amplified by PCR at exon 5-8 in p53 tumor suppressor gene. We have compared single strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) and denaturing high performance liquid chromatography (DHPLC) method for analysis of p53 somatic mutation. As a result, 16 deleted mutations (32%) were detected by SSCP analysis and 17 deleted mutations (34%) were detected by DHPLC analysis at exon 8. All of 17 mutations were proved by sequencing. We conclude that DHPLC is a fast and simple screening method rather than SSCP analysis.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Developmental Biology Conference
• /
• 2003.10a
• /
• pp.64-64
• /
• 2003

The sex differentiation of fishes occurs under the control of genetic and various environmental factors. DM-domain containing genes are novel zinc finger transcription factors and play key roles in sex determination. In order to isolate the wrasse DMRT (wDMRT) cDNA from the protogynous wrasse (Halichoeres tenuispinnis), the wrasse testis cDNA library was screened using the $^{32}$ P-labeled PCR products, which were amplified with the degenerate primers from conserved DM-domain regions of several DMRT genes. Among a few positives obtained through screening, the full length wDMRT cDNA of 2.9kb size encoding a predicted 300 amino acid residues was isolated. The sequence analysis exhibited 60%, 43% sequence identity with rainbow trout and tilapia DMRT1, respectively. RT-PCR assay showed that wDMRT was expressed specifically in male testis. Also, wDMRT gene was strongly expressed in May during reproductive season, when the reproductivity of wrasse is most active. This results suggested that wDMRT gene function in testis differentiation The conserved DM-domain regions were amplified using PCR from DMRT genes of several species among Labridae, and their sequences were determined. The sequence of DM-domain region of Halichoeres. tenuispinis was identical to those of Pseudolabrus japonicus, Pteragogus flagellifera, and showed 94% identity with that of Halichoeres poecioptrerus.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
• /
• v.55 no.2
• /
• pp.137-142
• /
• 2017

Cryptosporidium and Cyclospora are well-known coccidian protozoa that can cause waterborne and food-borne diarrheal illnesses. There have been a few reports regarding contamination in different vegetables with Cryptosporidium, but no data are available regarding the sources of Cyclospora infections in Korea. In the present study, we collected 6 kinds of vegetables (perilla leaves, winter-grown cabbages, chives, sprouts, blueberries, and cherry tomatoes) from July 2014 to June 2015, and investigated contamination by these 2 protozoa using multiplex quantitative real-time PCR. Among 404 vegetables, Cryptosporidium and Cyclospora were detected in 31 (7.7%) and 5 (1.2%) samples, respectively. In addition, Cryptosporidium was isolated from all 6 kinds of vegetables, whereas Cyclospora was detected in 4 kinds of vegetables (except perilla leaves and chives). Cryptosporidium (17.8%) and Cyclospora (2.9%) had the highest detection rates in chives and winter-grown cabbages, respectively. Cryptosporidium was detected all year long; however, Cyclospora was detected only from October to January. In 2 samples (sprout and blueberry), both Cryptosporidium and Cyclospora were detected. Further investigations using TaqI restriction enzyme fragmentation and nested PCR confirmed Cryptosporidium parvum and Cyclospora cayetanensis, respectively. In conclusion, we detected C. cayetanensis in vegetables for the first time in Korea. This suggests that screening should be employed to prevent these protozoal infections in Korea.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• v.19 no.8
• /
• pp.749-759
• /
• 2009

A survey of Bacillus thuringiensis (Berliner) strains isolated from Spanish citrus orchards has been performed, and the strains were tested for insecticidal activity against the Mediterranean fruit fly Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann), a key citrus pest in Spain. From a total of 150 environmental samples, 376 isolates were selected, recording a total B. thuringiensis index of 0.52. The collection was characterized by means of phase-contrast microscopy, SDS-PAGE, and PCR analysis with primer pairs detecting toxin genes cry1, cry2, cry3, cry4, cry5, cry7, cry8, cry9, cry10, cry11, cry12, cry14, cry17, cry19, cry21, cry27, cry39, cry44, cyt1, and cyt2. Diverse crystal inclusion morphologies were identified: bipyramidal (45%), round (40%), adhered to the spore (7%), small (5%), and irregular (3%). SDS-PAGE of spore-crystal preparations revealed 39 different electrophoresis patterns. All primer pairs used in PCR tests gave positive amplifications in strains of our collection, except for primers for detection of cry3, cry19, cry39, or cry44 genes. Strains containing cry1, cry2, cry4, and cry27 genes were the most abundant (48.7%, 46%, 11.2%, and 8.2% of the strains, respectively). Ten different genetic profiles were found, although a total of 109 strains did not amplify with the set of primers used. Screening for toxicity against C. capitata adults was performed using both spore-crystal and soluble fractions. Mortality levels were less than 30%. We have developed a large and diverse B. thuringiensis strain collection with huge potential to control several agricultural pests; however, further research is needed to find out Bt strains active against C. capitata.

• BMB Reports
• /
• v.31 no.2
• /
• pp.111-116
• /
• 1998

HLA-DR4 is the dominant allele of MHC class II genes in Koreans. In particular, the $DRB1^*0405$ subtype has been reported to be almost exclusively expressed in Far East Asians, and has also been observed to be strongly associated with rheumatoid arthritis in Koreans and the Japanese. Identification of this specific allele has been mainly performed by PCR-based methods, which is often time consuming, costly, and involves tedious procedures such as the isolation of genomic DNA, PCR, and gel electrophoresis. To develop a more convenient tool for screening vast amounts of samples as well as to generate reagents which might also be used in other applications, in this study, antibodies were produced against this specific HLA subtype. By PCR, an allelespecific region covering the ${\beta}1$ domain of $DRB1^*0405$ was amplified and recombinantly expressed in E.coli. Immunization of Lewis rats with the purified protein yielded an allele specific antiserum. Western blot analysis showed the selective detection of the HLA-DR ${\beta}-chain$. Using this antiserum, established cell lines and peripheral blood lymphocytes were analyzed on their HLA haplotype by fluorescence activated flow cytometry. These novel antibodies will provide a powerful tool in the detection and investigation of DR4 alleles.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society for Bioinformatics Conference
• /
• 2006.02a
• /
• pp.116-123
• /
• 2006

생물체의 cDNA를 유리기판위에 고밀도로 첨착 시킨 유전자 칩과 정량적인 방법으로 개별 유전자 발현을 진단 가능한 Real- time PCR (실시간 고분자중합연쇄반응 기술) 기법은 첨단 의학분야와 신약개발 및 독성유전체 연구분야에 활발히 도입되고 있는 기술이다. 본 발표의 첫 번째 부분에서는 유전자칩 에서 얻어진 유전자 발현패턴분석에 기반한 바이오마커 선정 및 real time PCR에 의한 확증 관련 기술 과 유전자칩에서 얻어지는 수많은 데이터를 재정렬 및 다양한 분석기법과 display기술을 활용하여 광범위한 화학물질에 대한 독성효과 분석을 가능하게 해주며, 특정 독성물질에 대한 관련유전자 그룹 발견 및 독성영향에 따른 분류방법에 관한 결과를 발표할 것이다. 또한 바이오마커 활용의 하나로 박테리아세포 기반 바이오센서 제작및 세포칩 개발등에 대한 결과도 추가될 것이다. 두 번째 부분에서는 non-model organism(유전체정보가 확보되지 않은 생물체)인 송사리를 이용하여 새로운 2K 유전자칩을 개발하고, 여기서 각종 화학물질에 대하여 얻어진 수많은 유전자칩 분석 데이타를 활용하여 각각의 화학물질이 보여주는 독성효과를 매우 효과적이고 쉽게 이해할 수 있는 display기술을 개발, 적용함으로써 유전자칩 발현에 기반한 화학물질 독성 screening 및 specificity discrimination을 가능케 하는 예가 발표될 것이다. 이 연구에서 개발한 송사리 유전자칩은 간조직의 RNA를 직접 cDNA화 하는 방식을 취하고 있어 전체 송사리의 유전정보를 필요로 하지 않아 비용 및 효율에서 전체 송사리의 유전정보를 얻는 비용과 노력을 취하지 않고 간에서 발생하는 독성학적 영향 및 유전자의 발현정도를 정밀하고 효율적인 방법으로 얻어 낸다. 현재 2000여개의 cDNA유전자중 50%이상의 유전자가 17베타에스트라디올, 페놀, 노닐페놀, 비스페놀, 감마레이조사, 잔류약품중 이보프란, 다이클로펜악, 농약중의 파라???R, 돌연변이 유발물질 중의 이티비알, 금속류중의 카드뮴을 통해 발현양상과 특정 캐미칼별 발현 특이성이 조사되었고, 이들 유전자는 염기서열 분석을 통해 염기서열이 분석되었으며, 미국 NCBI의 유전자 은행과의 비교를 통해 일부유전자는 새로운 유전자로 밝혀지고 있다. 또한 이 발표에서는 소염진통제계열 의약품인 dichlofenac 이 송사리의 각종 조직에 미치는 독성영향을 Real-time PCR을 이용하여 대표적 스트레스 유전자의 발현에 미치는 영향에 대한 분석 예가 발표될 것이다.

• Analytical Science and Technology
• /
• v.17 no.1
• /
• pp.53-59
• /
• 2004

Up to now, methods for the detection of genetic alterations as single strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) or denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) have been used. It is too labor-intensive and expensive to serve for routine analysis. Moreover, lower in its sensitivity and specificity being also strongly dependent on the experience of the investigater. To improve these problems, we analysed mutation of ${\beta}_2$-adrenergic receptor gene that controls bronchial asthma by denaturing high performance liquid chromatography (DHPLC) according to ion-pair reversed phase chromatography (IP-RPC). We extracted genomic DNA from 80 asthma patients and then amplified DNA using PCR and analysed PCR product by SSCP and DHPLC. As a result, we analysed mutation frequency is 19 (23.75%) on SSCP and 25 (31.25%) on DHPLC in ${\beta}_2$-adrenergic receptor gene. We conclude that DHPLC is a fast and simple screening method rather than SSCP analysis.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.15 no.1
• /
• pp.215-220
• /
• 2014

Objective: To determine the expression of E-cadherin, ${\beta}$-catenin, and transcription factor 4 (TCF4) proteins in gastric diseases with relation to Helicobacter pylori infection. Methods: A total of 309 patients including 60 with superficial gastritis (SG), 57 with atrophic gastritis (AG) and 192 with gastric cancer (GC), were enrolled. The expression of E-cadherin, ${\beta}$-catenin, TCF4 proteins in the gastric mucosa was detected by immunohistochemistry and H. pylori infection by immunohistochemistry and PCR. Results: The expression rates of E-cadherin were significantly higher in SG and AG than in GC (P<0.01), while those of ${\beta}$-catenin in the nucleus were significantly lower in SG and AG than in GC (P<0.05). In GC cases, the expression rates of E-cadherin, ${\beta}$-catenin and TCF4 were significantly higher in the intestinal type than in the diffuse type (P<0.05). In GC patients, the expression rate of E-cadherin was significantly higher in the presence of H. pylori than in the absence of infection (P=0.011). Moreover, the expression level of TCF4 and ${\beta}$-catenin protein was significantly higher in the nucleus and cytoplasm in H. pylori positive than in H. pylori negative GC patients, especially in those with the intestinal type (all P < 0.05). Conclusion: The expression of E-cadherin and ${\beta}$-catenin progressively decreases during the process of GC tumorigenesis, while overexpression of TCF4 occurs. H. pylori infection is associated with a significant increase in the expression of E-cadherin and ${\beta}$-catenin in the cytoplasm and nucleus in GC patients, especially those with the intestinal type.