• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.63 no.4
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• pp.314-321
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• 2018

Durum (Triticum turgidum L. ssp. durum) is a major crop species cultivated for human consumption worldwide. In Tunisia, salt stress is one of the main problems that limit crop production. 'Mahmoudi' was selected as the most salt-sensitive out of 11 Tunisian durum cultivars. Using the salt-tolerant cultivar 'Om Rabia', resistant and susceptible cultivars were evaluated to compare genetic responses under salt stress. At the fully expanded third leaf stage, salt stress was applied by submerging the pots in 500 mM NaCl for 5 min every day for saline water irrigation in the greenhouse. The treatment was applied for 1 week and salt stress tolerance was determined by changes of growth parameters to the control condition. The salt tolerance trait index and salt tolerance index were calculated and used as selection criteria. The expression levels of TdHKT1;4, TdHKT1;5, and TdSOS1 were examined using qPCR. For further evaluation of physiological responses, salt stress (150 mM NaCl) was additionally applied for 48 h at the fully expanded third-leaf stage. Increased expression of the genes responsible for salt tolerance and proline content in tolerant durum can be used to broaden genetic diversity and provide genetic resources for the durum breeding program.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.579-585
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• 2013

Streptococcus equi ssp. zooepidemicus (Streptococcus zooepidemicus, SEZ) is an important pathogen associated with opportunistic infections of a wide range of species, including pigs and humans. The absence of a suitable vaccine makes it difficult to control SEZ infection. Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) has been previously identified as an immunogenic protein using immunoproteomic techniques. In the present study, we confirmed that the sequence of GAPDH was highly conserved with other Streptococcus spp. The purified recombinant GAPDH could elicit a significant humoral antibody response in mice and confer significant protection against challenge with a lethal dose of SEZ. GAPDH could adhere to the Hep-2 cells, confirmed by flow cytometry, and inhibit adherence of SEZ to Hep-2 cells in an adherence inhibition assay. In addition, real-time PCR demonstrated that GAPDH was induced in vivo following infection of mice with SEZ. These suggest that GAPDH could play an important role in the pathogenesis of SEZ infection and could be a target for vaccination against SEZ.

• Mycobiology
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• v.49 no.5
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• pp.461-468
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• 2021

The genus Laccaria (Hydnangiaceae, Agaricales) plays an important role in forest ecosystems as an ectomycorrhizal fungus, contributing to nutrient cycles through symbiosis with many types of trees. Though understanding Laccaria diversity and distribution patterns, as well as its association with host plants, is fundamental to constructing a balanced plant diversity and conducting effective forest management, previous studies have not been effective in accurately investigating, as they relied heavily on specimen collection alone. To investigate the true diversity and distribution pattern of Laccaria species and determine their host types, we used four different approaches: specimen-based analysis, open database search (ODS), NGS analysis, and species-specific PCR (SSP). As a result, 14 Laccaria species have been confirmed in Korea. Results regarding the species distribution pattern were different between specimen-based analysis and SSP. However, when both were integrated, the exact distribution pattern of each Laccaria species was determined. In addition, the SSP revealed that many Laccaria species have a wide range of host types. This study shows that using these four different approaches is useful in determining the diversity, distribution, and host of ECM fungi. Furthermore, results obtained for Laccaria will serve as a baseline to help understand the role of ECM fungi in forest management in response to climate change.

• BMB Reports
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.350-353
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• 2005

Alanine at residue 73 (Ala-73) and aspartate at residue 9 (Asp-9) are characteristic to both Cw6 and Cw7 alleles of HLA-C gene and have been suggested as possible markers for psoriasis vulgaris (PsV). However, the results from various ethnic groups/populations are contradictory and inconclusive. In this study, an attempt has been made to examine the association between HLA-C (Ala-73 and Asp-9) and susceptibility to PsV among Saudi patients. Genomic DNA was extracted from 25 Saudi PsV patients and 75 control subjects. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed to amplify HLA-C sequences using earlier reported primers, C133P and C243PR. Sequence-specific primers were used to specifically detect nucleotide coding for Ala-73 and Asp-9 in all the subjects. The results showed significantly higher frequency of Asp-9 (84.0% versus 61.3%) in PsV patients as compared to controls (p < 0.05, 2-tailed Fisher's exact test). The frequencies of Ala-73 among PsV patients (92%) and controls (88%) did not differ significantly.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.18
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• pp.8467-8471
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• 2016

Background: One of the major mechanisms for drug resistance is associated with altered anticancer drug transport, mediated by the human-adenosine triphosphate binding cassette (ABC) transporter superfamily proteins. The overexpression of adenosine triphosphate binding cassette, sub-family B, member 1 (ABCB1) by multidrug-resistant cancer cells is a serious impediment to chemotherapy. In our study we have studied the possibility that structural single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) are the mechanism of ABCB1 overexpression. Materials and Methods: A total of 101 gastric cancer multidrug resistant cases and 100 controls were genotyped with sequence-specific primed PCR (SSP-PCR). Gene expression was evaluated for 70 multidrug resistant cases and 54 controls by real time PCR. The correlation between the two groups was based on secondary structures of RNA predicted by bioinformatics tool. Results: The results of genotyping showed that among 3 studied SNPs, rs28381943 and rs2032586 had significant differences between patient and control groups but there were no differences in the two groups for C3435T. The results of real time PCR showed over-expression of ABCB1 when we compared our data with each of the genotypes in average mode. Prediction of secondary structures in the existence of 2 related SNPs (rs28381943 and rs2032586) showed that the amount of ${\Delta}G$ for original mRNA is higher than the amount of ${\Delta}G$ for the two mentioned SNPs. Conclusions: We have observed that 2 of our studied SNPs (rs283821943 and rs2032586) may elevate the expression of ABCB1 gene, through increase in mRNA stability, while this was not the case for C3435T.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.48 no.6
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• pp.624-633
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• 2005

Purpose : This study analyzed the expression of HLA-DR and DQ genotypes and anti-thyroid autoantibodies[anti-thyroid peroxidase(TPO) and anti-thyroglobulin(TG) antibodies] in Korean patients with type 1 diabetes(T1DM) to investigate the susceptible HLA alleles to T1DM in Korea and the prevalence of thyroid autoantibodies and their significance for the development of thyroid disorders. Methods : A total of 59 Korean patients with type 1 diabetes[26 males, median age 13.7 years(range 5.7-29.9 years), diabetes duration 7.6 years(-1.7-22.5 years)] were enrolled in this study, and 200 healthy Koreans without a family history of diabetes were selected as a normal control for the comparison of HLA genotypes. Seventeen patients with anti-TPO or anti-TG were followed [median duration 3.96 years(1 day-10.7 years)] with measurement of anti-TPO, anti-TG, $T_3$, $T_4$ or free $T_4$, TSH levels and physical examinations. HLA-DR and DQ genotyping were done by PCR-SSO, PCR-SSCP, PCR-RFLP and PCR-SSP methods. Results : HLA analysis showed higher frequencies of HLA-DRB1*0301, *090102 and DQB1*0201, *030302 alleles, DRB1*0301/*090102, *090102/*090102 and DQB1 *0201/*030302, *030302/*030302, *0201/ *0302 genotypes in T1DM patients compared to controls(Pc<0.05). Fifteen(25.4 percent) had anti-TPO antibody, 12(20.3 percent) had anti-TG, 17(28.8 percent) had either autoantibody and 10(16.9 percent) had both autoantibodies. No clinical or subclinical hypothyroidism developed during follow-up after the first detection of anti-thyroid autoantibody. There was no significant correlation between thyroid autoimmunity and gender, onset age of T1DM, and diabetes duration, respectively(P>0.05). Conclusion : We thought this unique HLA-DR, DQ allele distribution might be an important factor for the low incidence of T1DM in Korea. And a high prevalence of thyroid autoantibodies in these populations suggests examinations of thyroid antibodies should be performed regularly. Optimal age for the initial screening and the frequency of re-screening for associated thyroid autoimmune diseases in T1DM remains to be determined through prospective follow-up.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.54 no.4
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• pp.367-377
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• 2003

Background : It is well known that only 10% of those infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis actually develop clinical disease, indicating the existence of host genetic factors regulating disease expression. In this study, we investigated HLA-DRB1 and -DQB1 gene polymorphisms in Korean patients with pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB). Methods : HLA-DRB1 and -DQB1 gene polymorphisms were investigated in 67 PTB patients without previous treatment history, 38 drug-sensitive (DS) and 29 multidrug-resistant (MDR) cases, and 200 healthy controls. HLA-DRB1 typing was done using reverse SSO (sequence specific oligonucleotide) and PCR-SSCP (single strand conformational polymorphism) methods and DQB1 typing was done using PCR-RFLP (restriction fragment length polymorphism), PCR-SSCP and PCR-SSP (sequence specific primer) methods. Results : Among the PTB patients, MDR-TB cases showed frequencies of DRB1*0701 and *08032 increased by about two-fold compared to those of normal controls, and likewise for their associated DQB1 alleles, DQB1*0202 and *0601 (15.5% vs. 34.5%, p=0.01). The frequency of HLA-DQB1*0609 was significantly increased in PTB patients (4.0% vs. 14.9%, p=0.004), showing similar increases in both DS and MDR cases. There was also an association of HLA alleles with the clinical severity of the disease according to the extent of lung lesion. Significantly increased frequencies of DRB1*08032 (4.2% vs. 32.6%, p=0.007) and DQB1*0601 (12.5% vs. 34.9%, p=0.047) were observed in more advanced (moderately & far advanced/DS and far advanced/MDR), compared with less advanced (minimal/DS and moderately advanced/MDR) lung lesions. Although DRB1*0701, DQB1*0202 and DQB1*0609 showed significant increases in different subsets of the disease, these HLA alleles did not show consistent association with disease severity. Conclusion : HLA-DRB1*08032 and DQB1*0601 alleles were associated with genetic susceptibility to MDR-TB in Korean patients, and also with disease severity and progression of PTB.

• Research in Plant Disease
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.211-215
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• 2011

Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV)-like isolate was collected from Raphanus sativus (cv. Choon-hyang), which showed mosaic symptoms. The isolate was confirmed to a strain of CMV by host responses in Vigna unguiculata, Chenopodium amaranticolor and Gomphrena globosa, by viral genome composition with RT-PCR and PCR-RFLP, and by serological analysis. Symptom developed by the strain of CMV was severe in Nicotiana benthamiana, N. glutinosa, N. tabacum (cv. Samsun, cv. Xanthi), Cucumis melo (cv. Early hanover), Cucumis sativus (cv. White wonder), Capsicum annuum (cv. Chung-yang and cv. Geum-top), but mild symptom was developed in Raphanus sativus (cv. Choon-hyang), Brassica rapa ssp. pekinensis (cv. Bul-Am No. 3), and B. juncea (cv. Daenong Jukgot). Newly isolated strain of CMV could infect diverse crops including Solanaceae, Cucurbitaceae and Brassicaceae. We designated the new strain of CMV as Gn-CMV based on the novel infectivity of Brassicaceae. In double-stranded (ds) RNA analysis, Gn-CMV consisted of 3.3, 3.0, and 2.2 kb genomes likewise other strains of CMV. SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) showed 28 kDa of the CMV coat protein. By restriction enzyme mapping using Cac8I, ClaI and MspI of RT-PCR products indicated that Gn-CMV belongs to CMV subgroup I.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• v.5 no.4
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• pp.209-214
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• 2003

Expression of 43 flowering-related genes was examined in two inbred lines of Chinese cabbage, Chiifu and Kenshin, under different photoperiod, vernalization and flower development stages. The floral genes cloned by RT-PCR with degenerated primers showed high homology with Arabidopsis counterparts. Genes in two inbred lines, TOC, CRY1, CO, RGAL and GAl, were highly expressed under all tested conditions. However, expression of three genes was regulated by particular experimental conditions. The expression of LHY gene was predominant in Chiifu under the short-day conditions, whereas the expression of RGAL gene was influenced by vernalization in both inbred lines. Besides, the expression of NAP gene was induced by vernalization only in Chiifu. Most of the flower identity-related genes were expressed during flower development. The transcript level for several genes was not detected in this experiment.

• Horticultural Science & Technology
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.299-307
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• 2013

A radish (Raphanus sativus L.) polygalacturonase-inhibiting protein (PGIP) gene was cloned and compared to the PGIP gene (BrPGIP2) from Chinese cabbage (Brassica rapa ssp. pekinensis) in order to gain more information on controlling a disease and improving produce quality. To clone the radish PGIP gene, primers were designed based on conserved sequences of two PGIP genes (BnPGIP1 and BnPGIP2) from rape (B. napus L. ssp. oleifera), Chinese cabbage and Arabidopsis thaliana. PCR cloning was performed with cDNA from the stigma of radish 'Daejinyeoreum' as a template to confirm DNA fragments which were about 600 base pair in size. Sequence analysis revealed 84.1% homology with BrPGIP2 and 70.1% with BnPGIP1. DNA walking was conducted to confirm the open reading frame of 972 bp, and the gene was named RsPGIP1. RsPGIP1 consisting with 323 amino acids (aa) has a high leucine content (54/323) and contains 10 leucine-rich repeat domains, as do most BrPGIPs of Chinese cabbage. The gene expression of RsPGIP1 was induced by abiotic stresses and methyl jasmonate. It showed enrichment in the stigma and the primary root than a leaf. Cloning RsPGIP1 will aid to further apply practices on postharvest quality maintenance and disease control of the root.