• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.307-311
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• 2001

The activation of NF-$\kappa$B induced by kojic Acid, an inhibitor of tyrosinase for biosynthesis of melanin in melanocytes, was investigated in human transfectant HaCaT and SCC-13 cells. These two keratinocyte cell lines transfected with pNF-$\kappa$B-SEAP-NPT plasmid were used to determine the activation of NF-$\kappa$B. Transfectant cells release the secretory alkaline phosphatase (SEAP) as a transcription reporter in response to the NF-$\kappa$B activity and contain the neomycin phosphotransferase (NPT) gene for the dominant selective marker of geneticin resistance. NF-$\kappa$B activation was measured in the SEAP reporter gene assay using a fluorescence detection method. Kojic Acid showed the inhibition of cellular NF-$\kappa$B activity in both human keratinocyte transfectants. It could also downregulate the ultraviolet ray (UVR)-induced activation of NF-$\kappa$B expression in transfectant HaCaT cells. Moreover, the inhibitory activity of kojic Acid in transfectant HaCaT cells was found to be more potent than known antioxidants, e.g., vitamin C and N~acetyl-L-cysteine. These results indicate that kojic Acid is a potential inhibitor of NF-$\kappa$B activation in human keratinocytes, and suggest the hypothesis that NF-$\kappa$B activation may be involved in kojic Acid induced anti-melanogenic effect.

• Genomics & Informatics
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.254-262
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• 2013

The multidrug resistance protein 2 (MRP2, ABCC2) gene may determine individual susceptibility to adverse drug reactions (ADRs) in the central nervous system (CNS) by limiting brain access of antiepileptic drugs, especially valproic acid (VPA). Our objective was to investigate the effect of ABCC2 polymorphisms on ADRs caused by VPA in Korean epileptic patients. We examined the association of ABCC2 single-nucleotide polymorphisms and haplotype frequencies with VPA related to adverse reactions. In addition, the association of the polymorphisms with the risk of VPA related to adverse reactions was estimated by logistic regression analysis. A total of 41 (24.4%) patients had shown VPA-related adverse reactions in CNS, and the most frequent symptom was tremor (78.0%). The patients with CNS ADRs were more likely to have the G allele (79.3% vs. 62.7%, p=0.0057) and the GG genotype (61.0% vs. 39.7%, p=0.019) at the g.-1774delG locus. The frequency of the haplotype containing g.-1774Gdel was significantly lower in the patients with CNS ADRs than without CNS ADRs (15.8% vs. 32.3%, p=0.0039). Lastly, in the multivariate logistic regression analysis, the presence of the GG genotype at the g.-1774delG locus was identified as a stronger risk factor for VPA related to ADRs (odds ratio, 8.53; 95% confidence interval, 1.04 to 70.17). We demonstrated that ABCC2 polymorphisms may influence VPA-related ADRs. The results above suggest the possible usefulness of ABCC2 gene polymorphisms as a marker for predicting response to VPA-related ADRs.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.49 no.2
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• pp.148-153
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• 2004

The Hessian fly, Mayetiola destructor (Say), is known to be one of the major insect herbivores of wheat worldwide. In order to provide molecular events on interactions of the NIL with H21 and larvae of Hessian fly biotype L, the TaCR1 gene, Triticum aestivum cytokinin repressed 1, was isolated through the suppression subtractive hybridization, which was constructed using stems of the NIL with H21 at 6 days after infestation as tester and stems of the recurrent parent Coker797 without H21 at 6 days after infestation as driver. Transcript levels of TaCR1 mRNA in the NIL with H21 were highest at 6 days after infestation but in the Coker797 without H21 until 8 days were similar with those of non-infested plants. Expression of the TaCR1 gene was decreased at early time and then recovered after wounding or $H_2O$$_2$ treatment as well as 6-BAP treatment. Transcripts levels of the TaCR1 gene was changed after MeJA, SA, ethephone, or ABA treatment. In drought treatment, the TaCRl gene were increased at early stage of stress and then decreased at late stage. Expression of the TaCRl gene was continued to decrease through 24 h in the cold treatment. Although the TaCRl gene is increased through infestation in NIL with H21, further study was required to elucidate a role on resistance against larvae of Hessian fly. However, the TaCR1 gene could be used as marker gene on response of plants against abiotic stresses as well as application of plants with several hormones.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.79-86
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• 2001

Recent clinical studies have shown that a high proportion of patients with acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) achieve complete remission after treatment with all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA). However, most patients who receive continuous treatment with ATRA relapse and develop ATRA-resistant leukemia. Dendritic cells (DCs) are important antigen-presenting cells in the development of antileukemic T-cell responses. In this study, we investigated the strategies to overcome ATRA resistance of APL cells by inducing the differentiation of DCs from human leukemic cell lines for the developtment of adoptive immunotherapy. CD83 was used as a mature DC marker in this study and the expression of CD83 mRNA was determined by RT-PCR method. The promyelocytic leukemic cell line HL-60, B lymphoblast cell lines RPMI 7666 and NC-37 could be induced to dendritic cells in vitro. Treatment of HL-60 with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) resulted in the expression of myeloid-related DC phenotypes, while treatment of RPMI 7666 with fms-like tyrosine kinase 3 ligand (Flt3-ligand, FL) and treatment of NC-37 with PMA and FL led to the expression of lymphoid-related DC phenotypes. In conclusion, myeloid-related DC phenotypes and lymphoid-related DC phenotypes could be generated from HL-60, NC-37 and RPMI 7666 cell lines, respectively. These DC phenotypes can potentially be used to generate antileukemic T cells in vitro for adoptive immunotherapy.

• Journal of Genetic Medicine
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.18-22
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• 2017

Pseudohypoparathyroidism type 1b (PHP 1b) is the result of end organ resistance to parathyroid hormone (PTH) in the absence of any features of Albright's hereditary osteodystrophy. There are two subtypes of PHP 1b with different genetic mechanisms. One subtype is related to a maternally derived 3kb microdeletion involving STX 16 gene, and is inherited in an autosomal dominant mode. Familial autosomal dominant inheritance of PHP 1b is relatively rare. The other subtype is associated with more extensive loss of imprinting at the GNAS locus that affects at least one additional differential methylated (hypermethylation at neuroendocrine secretory protein and hypomethylation at antisense transcript and or extra-large stimulatory G protein region) without microdeletion of the STX 16 or AS gene. It can be sporadic due to an imprinting defect in the GNAS gene. In our case, an 8-year-old girl was referred for suspected PHP with no feature of Albright hereditary osteodystrophy. Blood test results revealed hypocalcemia and hyperphosphatemia. Elevated PTH was also checked. There was no family history of endocrine or developmental problem. Her intelligence was normal, but she had inferior sociability at that time. Based on above, we diagnosed a rare case of paternal uniparental disomy of the long arm of chromosome 20 as the cause of PHP 1b by microsatellite marker test of chromosome 20.

• Proceedings of the Plant Resources Society of Korea Conference
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• 2019.10a
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• pp.43-43
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• 2019

The collection, evaluation and conservation of crop germplasm have been treated as one of the basics to breeding program. An understanding of genetic relationships among germplasm resources is vital for future breeding process like yield, quality, and resistance. In the present study, EST-SSR markers were employed to assess the polymorphism and genetic diversity of 192 accessions of Proso millet preserved in the National Agrobiodiversity Center of RDA. We evaluated the efficiency of EST-SSR markers developed for proso millet species. A total of 98 alleles were detected with an average allele number of 4.5 per locus among 192 proso millet millet accessions using 22 EST-SSR markers. The averaged values of gene diversity ($H_E$) and polymorphism information content (PIC) for each EST-SSR marker were 0.362 and 0.404 within populations, respectively. Our results showed the moderate level of the molecular diversity among the proso millet accessions from diverse countries. A phylogenetic tree revealed three major groups of accessions that did not correspond with geographical distribution patterns with a few exceptions. The less correlation between the clusters and their geographic location might be considered due to their type difference. Our study provided a better understanding of genetic relationships among various germplasm collections, and it could contribute to more efficient utilization of valuable genetic resources. The EST-SSR markers developed here will serve as a valuable resource for genetic studies, like linkage mapping, diversity analysis, quantitative trait locus/association mapping, and molecular breeding.

• Laboraroty Animal Research
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.279-287
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• 2018

Placenta specific 8 (PLAC8, also known as ONZIN) is a multi-functional protein that is highly expressed in the intestine, lung, spleen, and innate immune cells, and is involved in various diseases, including cancers, obesity, and innate immune deficiency. Here, we generated a Plac8 knockout mouse using the CRISPR/Cas9 system. The Cas9 mRNA and two single guide RNAs targeting a region near the translation start codon at Plac8 exon 2 were microinjected into mouse zygotes. This successfully eliminated the conventional translation start site, as confirmed by Sanger sequencing and PCR genotyping analysis. Unlike the previous Plac8 deficient models displaying increased adipose tissue and body weights, our male Plac8 knockout mice showed rather lower body weight than sex-matched littermate controls, though the only difference between these two mouse models is genetic context. Differently from the previously constructed embryonic stem cell-derived Plac8 knockout mouse that contains a neomycin resistance cassette, this knockout mouse model is free from a negative selection marker or other external insertions, which will be useful in future studies aimed at elucidating the multi-functional and physiological roles of PLAC8 in various diseases, without interference from exogenous foreign DNA.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.47 no.4
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• pp.815-827
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• 2020

The epidermal growth factor (EGF) transgenic soybean was developed and biosynthesis of human epidermal growth factor (hEGF) in soybean seeds was confirmed. Also, EGF transgenic soybean were found to contain a herbicide resistance selectable marker by introduction of phosphinothricin acetyltransferase (PAT) gene from the Streptomyces hygroscopicus. For biosafety assessment, the EGF transgenic soybean expressing the EGF biosynthesis gene EGF and herbicide resistant gene PAT was tested to determine effects on survival of Cyprinus carpio, commonly used as a model organism in ecotoxicological studies. C. carpio was fed 100% ground soybean suspension, EGF soybean or non-genetically modified (GM) counterpart soybean (Gwangan). Gene expression of EGF soybean was confirmed by PCR and ELISA to have EGF/PAT. Feeding test showed that no significant differences in cumulative immobility or abnormal response between C. carpio samples fed on EGF soybean and non-GM counterpart soybean. The 48 h-EC50 values of the EGF and non-GM soybean were 1,688 mg·L-1 (95% confidence limits: 1,585 - 1,798 mg·L-1) and 1,575 mg·L-1 (95% confidence limits: 1,433 - 1,731 mg·L-1), respectively. The soybean NOEC (no observed effect concentration) value for C. carpio was suggested to be 625 mg·L-1. We concluded that there was no significant difference in toxicity for non-target organisms (C. carpio) between the EGF soybean and non-GM counterparts.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.49 no.1
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• pp.121-128
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• 2022

Fusarium wilt disease caused by Fusarium species is a major problem affecting cultivated cucurbit plants worldwide. Fusarium species are well-known soil-borne pathogenic fungi that cause Fusarium wilt disease in several cucurbit plants. In this study, we aimed to identify and classify pathogenic Fusarium species from cultivated Korean cucurbit plants, specifically watermelon and cucumber. Thirty-six Fusarium isolates from different regions of Korea were obtained from the National Institute of Horticulture and Herbal Science Germplasm collection. Each isolate was morphologically and molecularly identified using an internal transcribed spacer of ribosomal DNA, elongation factor-1α, and the beta-tubulin gene marker sequence. Fusarium species that infect the cucurbit plant family could be divided into three groups: Fusarium oxysporum (F. oxysporum), Fusarium solani (F. solani), and Fusarium equiseti (F. equieti). Among the 36 isolates examined, six were non-pathogenic (F. equiseti: 15-127, F. oxysporum: 14-129, 17-557, 17-559, 18-369, F. solani: 12-155), whereas 30 isolates were pathogenic. Five of the F. solani isolates (11-117, 14-130, 17-554, 17-555, 17-556) were found to be highly pathogenic to both watermelon and cucumber plants, posing a great threat to cucurbit production in Korea. The identification of several isolates of F. equiseti and F. oxysporum, which are both highly pathogenic to bottle gourd, may indicate waning resistance to Fusarium species infection.

• Proceedings of the Plant Resources Society of Korea Conference
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• 2020.12a
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• pp.63-63
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• 2020

Rice stripe virus (RSV) disease is one of the major constraints in rice production, transmitted by the small brown planthopper (SBPH; Laodelphax striatellus). Upon RSV infection, plants develop typical symptoms, which include chlorosis and weakness of newly emerged leaves, white and yellow spots, stripe on leaves, and necrotic and wilting leaves, resulting in plant growth inhibition, oxidative damage that may culminate in programmed cell death (PCD) and plant death in severe epidemics. Although RSV-resistant quantitative trait loci (QTLs), Stv-a, Stv-b, and Stv-bi, were mapped using various resistant varieties, one RSV-resistant gene, OsSOT1, has been identified so far. In this study, we used the rice cultivar Zenith, known to carry Stv-b, to investigate novel RSV-genes through fine mapping. Therefore, we crossed Zenith (Donor parent, RSV resistant) with Ilpum (Recurrent parent, RSV susceptible) to fine-map using a BC₂F₂ population of 2100 plants. Chromosome segment introgression lines that were heterozygous at a different region were selected, two types of heterozygous lines showed an heterozygous genotype between Sid2 and Sid75 to Indel9 and RM6680. Interestingly, we identified qSTV11^Z region harboring Stv-b, covering about 171-kb region between the InDel markers Sid75 and Indel8. The localization of qSTV11^Z provides useful information that could be used for marker-assisted selection and determination of genetic resources in rice breeding.