• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.46 no.2
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• pp.177-182
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• 2010

The bacterial community structure of two marine sponges, Spirastrella abata and Cinachyrella sp. collected from Jeju Island, in April 2009, was analyzed by 16S rDNA-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE). DGGE banding patterns indicated 8 and 7 bands for Spirastrella abata and Cinachyrella sp., respectively. Comparative sequence analysis of variable DGGE bands revealed from 92% to 100% similarity to the known published sequences. The bacterial groups associated with Spirastrella abata were Alphaproteobacteria and Deltaproteobacteria. The bacterial community of Cinachyrella sp. consisted of Alphaproteobacteria, Gammaproteobacteria, and Actinobacteria. Alphaproteobacteria was common and predominant in both the sponge species. Deltaproteobacteria was found only in Spirastrella abata while Actinobacteria and Gammaproteobacteria were found only in Cinachyrella sp. The results revealed that though the common bacterial group was found in both the sponges, the bacterial community profiles differed between the two sponge species obtained from the same geographical location.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.729-735
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• 2012

The PCR-RFLP method has been useful for detection of known genes and identification of novel genes. In the present study, degenerate primers were designed from five groups of cry1 genes for PCR-RFLP analysis. Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) isolates from different regions were evaluated for PCR amplification of various cry1 genes using newly designed primers and cry2 genes using reported primers. PCR analysis showed an abundance of cry1A genes and especially cry1Ac genes in isolates from all regions. RFLP analysis revealed the presence of multiple cry1A genes in isolates from central and southern regions. Unique digestion patterns of cry1A genes were observed in isolates from each region. Few of the isolates represented a digestion pattern of cry1A genes that did match to any of the known cry1A genes. RFLP analysis suggested an abundance of cry2Ab along with a novel cry2 gene in Bt isolates from different regions of India. Sequence analysis of the novel cry2 gene revealed 95% sequence identity to cry2Ab and cry2Ah genes. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the novel cry2 gene could have diverged earlier than the other cry2 genes. Our results encourage finding of more diverse cry2 genes in Bt isolates. Rarefaction analysis was used to compare cry1A gene diversity in isolates from different soil types. It showed a higher degree of cry1A gene diversity in isolates from central region. In the present study, we propose the use of novel degenerate primers for cry1 genes and the PCR-RFLP method using a single enzyme to distinguish multiple cry1A and cry2 genes as well as identify novel genes.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.27 no.7
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• pp.1288-1299
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• 2017

Composting is widely used to transform waste into valuable agricultural organic fertilizer. Anaerobic ammonium-oxidizing (anammox) bacteria play an important role in the global nitrogen cycle, but their role in composting remains poorly understood. In the present study, the community structure, diversity, and abundance of anammox bacteria were analyzed using cloning and sequencing methods by targeting the 16S rRNA gene and the hydrazine oxidase gene (hzo) in samples isolated from compost produced from cow manure and rice straw. A total of 25 operational taxonomic units were classified based on 16S rRNA gene clone libraries, and 14 operational taxonomic units were classified based on hzo gene clone libraries. The phylogenetic tree analysis of the 16S rRNA gene and deduced HZO protein sequences from the corresponding encoding genes indicated that the majority of the obtained clones were related to the known anammox bacteria Candidatus "Brocadia," Candidatus "Kuenenia," and Candidatus "Scalindua." The abundances of anammox bacteria were determined by quantitative PCR, and between $2.13{\times}10^5$ and $1.15{\times}10^6$ 16S rRNA gene copies per gram of compost were found. This study provides the first demonstration of the existence of anammox bacteria with limited diversity in cow manure composting.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.194-199
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• 1998

Bacterial diversity was determined by amplification and sequencing of 16S rDNA at Tancheon and Jungrang in Han river. Twenty-seven clones constructed were divided 7 groups using RFLP. Fifteen clones were classified 4 groups in Tancheon and the group (HT-1 clone) including many clones was affiliated a high similarity with Aerobacter cryaerophilus (the class Proteobacteria including members of the delta subdivisions). The other two groups (HT-6 and HT-9 clone) including several clones were classified with the class Cytophagales in Tancheon. Twelve clones were classified 3 groups in Jungrang and the group (HJ-1 clone) including many clones was affiliated a high similarity with Sphingomonas sp. (the class Proteobacteria including members of the alpha subdivisions). As a whole results, the class Proteobacteria (alpha, beta and delta subdivision), the order Cytophagales, and the order Actinomycetales were detected.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.58 no.2
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• pp.181-184
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• 2020

Blastocystis, an enteric protist, has been reported to be an important cause of protozoal gastrointestinal manifestations in humans and animals worldwide. Animals harboring certain Blastocystis subtypes (STs) may serve as a potential source of human infection. However, information about the prevalence and genetic diversity of Blastocystis in alpacas is limited. In the present study, a total of 366 fecal samples from alpacas in Shanxi Province, northern China, were examined for Blastocystis by PCR amplification of the small subunit rRNA gene, followed by sequencing and phylogenetic analysis. The prevalence of Blastocystis in alpacas was 23.8%, and gender difference in the prevalence of Blastocystis was observed. The most predominant Blastocystis ST was ST10, followed by ST14 and ST5. The detection of ST5, a potentially zoonotic genotype, indicates that alpacas harboring ST5 could be a potential source of human infection with Blastocystis. These data provide new insight into the prevalence and genetic diversity of Blastocystis in alpacas.

• Journal of Photoscience
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.45-48
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• 2002

Microbial rhodopsins, photoactive 7-transmembrane helix proteins that use retinal as their chromophore, were observed initially in the Archaea and appeared to be restricted to extreme halophilic environments. Our understanding of the abundance and diversity of this family has been radically transformed by findings over the past three years. Genome sequencing of cultivated microbes as well as environmental genomics have unexpectedly revealed archaeal rhodopsin homologs in the other two domains of life as well, namely Bacteria and Eucarya. Organisms containing these homologs inhabit such diverse environments as salt flats, soil, freshwater, and surface and deep ocean waters, and they comprise a broad phylogenetic range of microbial life, including haloarchaea, proteobacteria, cyanobacteria, fungi, and algae. Analysis of the new microbial rhodopsins and their expression and structural and functional characterization reveal that they fulfill both ion transport and sensory functions in various organisms, and use a variety of signaling mechanisms. We have obtained the first crystallographic structure for a photosensory member of this family, the phototaxis receptor sensory rhodopsin II (SRII, also known as phoborhodopsin) that mediates blue-light avoidance by the haloarchaeon Natronobacterium pharaonis. The structure obtained from x-ray diffraction of 3D crystals prepared in a cubic lipid phase reveals key features responsible for its spectral tuning and its sensory function. The mechanism of SRII signaling fits a unified model for transport and signaling in this widespread family of phototransducers.

• The Korean Journal of Mycology
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• v.47 no.3
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• pp.199-208
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• 2019

In this study, the community structures of the ectomycorrhizal (ECM) fungi in the roots of Abies koreana and Taxus cuspidata were investigated at different altitudes of Mt. Halla. We identified the collected ECM root tips based on morphological characteristics and phylogenetic analysis through sequencing of the rDNA ITS regions. From the roots of A. koreana and T. cuspidata, 11 species and 12 species were identified, respectively. The Shannon's index and species evenness and abundance of the ECM fungi were higher in the higher than lower regions, regardless of host plant species, however, the number of ECM root tips showed the opposite pattern. The community similarity among the ECM fungi in A. koreana was significantly higher than that among the ECM fungi in T. cuspidata or than that between A. koreana and T. cuspidata (p < 0.05). These results could be useful for the conservation and management of the habitat of A. koreana, which is threatened with extinction due to increasing ambient air temperature.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.57 no.5
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• pp.525-529
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• 2019

Blastocystis is one of the most commonly detected genera of protozoan parasites in the human intestines as well as the intestines of many other species such as pigs in several geographical regions worldwide. However, no studies have examined Blastocystis in pigs in Korea. In this study, PCR and nucleotide sequencing were performed to evaluate the genetic diversity and zoonotic potential of Blastocystis using pig fecal samples. We obtained 646 stool samples from groups of piglets, weaners, growers, finishers, and sows in Korea. A total of 390 Blastocystis-positive samples were identified, and the infection rate was 60.4%. The infection rates were significantly related to age and region. The 4 subtypes (STs) of Blastocystis confirmed by phylogenetic analysis were ST1, ST2, ST3, and ST5, indicating the high genetic diversity of Blastocystis in Korean pigs. ST5 was highly distributed in Korean pigs among detected STs in this study. Some sequences were closely related to those of Blastocystis isolated from humans. This is the first study of Blastocystis in pigs in Korea. Based on the results, Blastocystis is prevalent in Korean pigs. Although a small number of samples were obtained in some areas, the clinical development of Blastocystis infection in pigs and potential for human transmission should be further examined.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.32 no.11
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• pp.1715-1724
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• 2019

Objective: As laying hens become aged, laying performance and egg quality are generally impaired. One of the practical methods to rejuvenate production and egg quality of aged laying hens with decreasing productivity is a forced molting. However, the changes in intestinal microbiota after forced molting of aged hens are not clearly known. The aim of the present study was to analyze the changes in excreta bacterial communities after forced molting of aged laying hens. Methods: A total of one hundred 66-wk-old Hy-Line Brown laying hens were induced to molt by a 2-d water removal and an 11-d fasting until egg production completely ceased. The excreta samples of 16 hens with similar body weight were collected before and immediately after molting. Excreta bacterial communities were analyzed by high-throughput sequencing of bacterial 16S rRNA genes. Results: Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes, and Proteobacteria were the three major bacterial phyla in pre-molting and immediate post-molting hens, accounting for more than 98.0%. Lactobacillus genus had relatively high abundance in both group, but decreased by molting (62.3% in premolting and 24.9% in post-molting hens). Moreover, pathogenic bacteria such as Enterococcus cecorum and Escherichia coli were more abundant in immediate post-molting hens than in pre-molting hens. Forced molting influenced the alpha diversity, with higher Chao1 (p = 0.012), phylogenetic diversity whole tree (p = 0.014), observed operational taxonomic unit indices (p = 0.006), and Simpson indices (p<0.001), which indicated that forced molting increased excreta bacterial richness of aged laying hens. Conclusion: This study improves the current knowledge of bacterial community alterations in the excreta by forced molting in aged laying hens, which can provide increasing opportunity to develop novel dietary and management skills for improving the gastrointestinal health of aged laying hens after molting.

• ALGAE
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.217-228
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• 2019

The marine brown algal genus Colpomenia has a worldwide distribution, with five species reported in Korea and Japan. However, no studies to date attempted to identify the number of species and geographical distribution of Colpomenia along Chinese coast. To fill the biodiversity knowledge gap, we analyzed 63 mitochondrial cox3 and 62 mitochondrial atp6 sequences of Colpomenia specimens collected from 30 localities along the Chinese coast. Maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference trees suggest the presence of at least three Colpomenia species (i.e., C. peregrina, C. claytoniae, and C. sinuosa) in China. C. peregrina and C. claytoniae are documented for the first time. C. sinuosa was only found in the South China Sea and its distribution didn't overlap with that of C. peregrina which was found in the Yellow-Bohai Sea and the East China Sea. C. claytoniae appears to be confined to three isolated islands in the East and the South China Sea, where it occurs in sympatry with, respectively, C. peregrina and C. sinuosa. Future study can focus on comparing eco-physiological differences of Colpomenia species in response to environmental variables and exploring possible genetic hybridization / introgression at inter-specific contact zones.