• Korean Journal of Microbiology
• /
• v.40 no.4
• /
• pp.320-327
• /
• 2004

Three hundreds thirty two bacterial colonies which were able to degrade crude oil were isolated from soil sam­ples that were contaminated with oil in Daejeon area. Among them, one bacterial strain was selected for this study based on its higher oil degrading ability, and this selected bacterial strain was identified as Acinetobactor sp. B2 through physiological-biochemical tests and analysis of its 16S rRNA sequence. Acinetobactor sp. B2 was able to utilize various carbohydrates but did not utilize trehalose and mannitol as a sole carbon source. Acinetobactor sp. B2 showed a weak resistance to antibiotics such as kanamycin, streptomycin, tetracycline and spectinomycin, but showed a high resistance up to mg/ml unit to heavy metals such as Ba, Li, Mn, AI, Cr and Pb. The optimal growth temperature of Acinetobactor sp. B2 was $30^{\circ}C.$ The lipase produced by Acinetobactor sp. B2 was purified by ammonium sulfate precipitation, DEAE-Toyopearl 650M ion exchange chromatography and Sephadex gel filtration chromatography. Its molecular mass was about 60 kDa and condition for the optimal activity was observed at $40^{\circ}C$ and pH 10, respectively. The activation energy of lipase for the hydrolysis of p­nitrophenyl palmitate was 2.7 kcal/mol in the temperature range of 4 to $37^{\circ}C,$ and the enzyme was unstable at the temperature higher than $60^{\circ}C.$ The Michaelis constant $(K_m)\;and\;V_{max}$ for p-nitrophenyl palmitate were 21.8 uM and $270.3\;{\mu}M\;min^{-1}mg^{-1},$ respectively. This enzyme was strongly inhibited by 10 mM $Cd^{2+},\;Co^{2+},\;Fe^{2+},\;Hg^{2+},$ EDTA and 2-Mercaptoethalol.

• KSBB Journal
• /
• v.18 no.3
• /
• pp.190-196
• /
• 2003

An analytical system detecting DNA particularly utilizing a concept of membrane strip chromatography initially applied to home-version tests for, such as, pregnancy and ovulation has been developed. We have chosen S. typhimurium as model analyte among food-contaminating microorganisms that occurred in high frequencies, and invA gene, as a detection target, specific to Salmonella species. This gene was able to be amplified by PCR under optimal conditions employing newly designed primers in our laboratory. The PCR product was specifically measured via hybridization between the analyte and a DNA probe, which was a totally different feature from the conventional gel electrophoresis detecting the products based only on the molecular size. It is notable thar the DNA probe sequence was specially designed such that no separation of excess primers present after PCR was required. This was immobilized on a nitrocellulose (NC) membrane via streptavidin-biotin linkage minimizing a steric effect when the hybridization with the amplified DNA took place. The analyrical system detected the microorganism in a concentration of minimum $10^3$ cfu/mL (i.e., 10 cells per system), estimated from the standard curve, 20 to 40 minutes after adding the sample. This sneitivity was approximately 10 times higher than that of gel electrophoresis as an analytical tool conventionally used. Furthermore, the assay was able to be run at room temperature, which would ofter an extra advantage to users.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
• /
• v.39 no.3
• /
• pp.319-328
• /
• 2021

Tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV) is one of the most destructive viruses worldwide, which causes severe damage to economically important crops, such as pepper and tomato. In this study, we examined the molecular and biological characterization of a TSWV isolate (SW-TO2) infecting tomato and compared it to the recently reported isolates from boxthorn, butterbur, and angelica plants. The phylogenetic analysis based on the complete genome sequences confirmed that SW-TO2 was clustered with those of isolates from boxthorn and pepper in Korea with the maximum nucleotide identities ranging from 98% to 99%. We developed the bioassay method for screening TSWV resistance and tested some commercial pepper and tomato cultivars for resistance evaluation of four isolates of TSWV. TSWV resistance was evaluated as TSWV resistance when all the following three conditions were satisfied: first, when symptoms of necrotic spots or no symptoms were present in the inoculated leaves; second, when there were no symptoms in the upper leaves; and third, when the upper leaves were negative as a result of RT-PCR diagnosis.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
• /
• v.48 no.4
• /
• pp.463-470
• /
• 2020

The JS18 strain was isolated from an old tree forest and produced extracellular enzymes that decolorize synthetic melanin. Phylogenetic analysis, based on the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequence, indicate that JS18 belongs to the Trametes velutina species. JS18 demonstrated laccase activity but no manganese peroxidase or lignin peroxidase activity. Batch culture indicated that the melanin decolorization activity of JS18 strain originated from the laccase. Syringic acid and CuSO4 induced maximum laccase production, yielding 98 U/ml laccase activity after cultivation for 7 days at 25℃. T. velutina secretes an extracellular laccase in GYP medium, and this enzyme was purified using (NH4)2SO4 precipitation, Hi-trap Q Sepharose columns and gel filtration. The molecular weight of the purified enzyme was estimated to be 67 kDa using sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. This enzyme produced 80% of its melanin decolorization activity within the first 24 h of evaluation in the presence of 1-hydroxybenzotriazole (HBT), while only about 4% of the melanin was decolorized in the absence of the mediator. The greatest decolorization was observed at 1.5 mM/l HBT, which decolorized 81% of the melanin within the first 24 h. The optimum pH and temperature for this decolorization were found to be 5.0 and 37℃, respectively. Our results suggest the possibility of applying HBT induced T. velutina JS18 laccase-catalyzed melanin decolorization.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
• /
• v.24 no.4
• /
• pp.115-120
• /
• 2009

Objectives : Due to the morphological similarity and frequent occurrence of intermediate forms as well as morphological variations of aerial part, the correct identification between Rhei Radix et Rhizoma and Rhei Undulatai Rhizoma is very difficult. To develop a reliable method for correct identification and improving the quality standards of Rhei Radix et Rhizoma and Rhei Undulatai Rhizoma, we analyzed RAPD and developed SCAR marker. Methods : To amplify target DNA at the genomic level, 32 Operon 10-mer random primers were applied with four Rheum species, R. officinale, R. palmatum, R. tanguticum and R. undulatum. The nucleotide sequences were determined and species-specific primers were prepared depending on the species-specific RAPD amplicons after subcloned into the pGEM-Teasy vector. To develop the SCAR markers, species-specific PCR amplification and multiplex-PCR were carried out using the single species-specific primer pairs and combinations of them, respectively. Results : We used RAPD analysis of four Rheum plant species to obtain several species-specific RAPD amplicons. From nucleotide sequences of these RAPD amplicons, we developed two SCAR markers that amplified 314 bp and 390 bp DNA fragments in only R. undulatum but not in R. officinale, R. palmatum, R. tanguticum and R. undulatum, for distinguishing Rhei Undulatai Rhizoma and Rhei Radix et Rhizoma. Furthermore, we established SCAR markers for the simultaneous discrimination of the three species within a single reaction by using multiplex-PCR. Conclusions : These genetic markers can be used for the efficient discrimination of plants species and commercial herbal medicines between Rhei Undulatai Rhizoma and Rhei Radix et Rhizoma, to ultimately prevent indiscriminate distribution and prescription of these herbal medicines.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
• /
• v.33 no.3
• /
• pp.153-160
• /
• 2006

Brassica rape is an important species used as a vegetable, oil, and fodder worldwide. It is related phylogenically to Arabidopsis thaliana, which has already been fully sequenced as a model plant. The 'Multinational Brassica Genome Project (MBGP)'was launched by the international Brassica community with the aim of sequencing the whole genome of B. rapa in 2003 on account of its value and the fact that it has the smallest genome among the diploid Brassica. The genome study was carried out not only to know the structure of genome but also to understand the function and the evolution of the genes comprehensively. There are two mapping populations, over 1,000 molecular markers and a genetic map, 2 BAC libraries, physical map, a 22 cDHA libraries as suitable genomic materials for examining the genome of B. rapa ssp. pekinensis Chinese cabbage. As the first step for whole genome analysis, 220,000 BAC-end sequences of the KBrH and KBrB BAC library are achieved by cooperation of six countries. The results of BAC-end sequence analysis will provide a clue in understanding the structure of the genome of Brassica rapa by analyzing the gene sequence, annotation and abundant repetitive DHA. The second stage involves sequencing of the genetically mapped seed BACs and identifying the overlapping BACs for complete genome sequencing. Currently, the second stage is comprises of process genetic anchoring using communal populations and maps to identify more than 1,000 seed BACs based on a BAC-to-BAC strategy. For the initial sequencing, 629 seed BACs corresponding to the minimum tiling path onto Arabidopsis genome were selected and fully sequenced. These BACs are now anchoring to the genetic map using the development of SSR markers. This information will be useful for identifying near BAC clones with the seed BAC on a genome map. From the BAC sequences, it is revealed that the Brassica rapa genome has extensive triplication of the DNA segment coupled with variable gene losses and rearrangements within the segments. This article introduces the current status and prospective of Korea Brassica Genome Project and the bioinformatics tools possessed in each national team. In the near future, data of the genome will contribute to improving Brassicas for their economic use as well as in understanding the evolutional process.

• 한국균학회소식:학술대회논문집
• /
• 2015.05a
• /
• pp.53-53
• /
• 2015

Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation(ATMT) of Flammulina velutipes was used to produce a diverse number of transformants to discover the functions of gene that is vital for its variation color, spore pattern and cellulolytic activity. Futhermore, the transformant pool will be used as a good genetic resource for studying gene functions. Agrobacterium-mediated transformation was conducted in order to generate intentional mutants of F. velutipes strain KACC42777. Then Agrobacterium tumefaciens AGL-1 harboring pBGgHg was transformed into F. velutipes. This method is use to determine the functional gene of F. velutipes. Inverse PCR was used to insert T-DNA into the tagged chromosomal DNA segments and conducting sequence analysis of the F. velutipes. But this experiment had trouble in diverse morphological mutants because of dikaryotic nature of mushroom. It needed to make monokaryotic fruiting varients which introduced genes of compatible mating types. In this study, next generation sequencing data was generated from 28 strains of Flammulina velutipes with different phenotypes using Illumina Hiseq platform. Filtered short reads were initially aligned to the reference genome (KACC42780) to construct a SNP matrix. And then we built a phylogenetic tree based on the validated SNPs. The inferred tree represented that white- and brown- fruitbody forming strains were generally separated although three brown strains, 4103, 4028, and 4195, were grouped with white ones. This topological relationship was consistently reappeared even when we used randomly selected SNPs. Group I containing 4062, 4148, and 4195 strains and group II containing 4188, 4190, and 4194 strains formed early-divergent lineages with robust nodal supports, suggesting that they are independent groups from the members in main clades. To elucidate the distinction between white-fruitbody forming strains isolated from Korea and Japan, phylogenetic analysis was performed using their SNP data with group I members as outgroup. However, no significant genetic variation was noticed in this study. A total of 28 strains of Flammulina velutipes were analyzed to identify the genomic regions responsible for producing white-fruiting body. NGS data was yielded by using Illumina Hiseq platform. Short reads were filtered by quality score and read length were mapped on the reference genome (KACC42780). Between the white- and brown fruitbody forming strains. There is a high possibility that SNPs can be detected among the white strains as homozygous because white phenotype is recessive in F. velutipes. Thus, we constructed SNP matrix within 8 white strains. SNPs discovered between mono3 and mono19, the parental monokaryotic strains of 4210 strain (white), were excluded from the candidate. If the genotypes of SNPs detected between white and brown strains were identical with those in mono3 and mono19 strains, they were included in candidate as a priority. As a result, if more than 5 candidates SNPs were localized in single gene, we regarded as they are possibly related to the white color. In F. velutipes genome, chr01, chr04, chr07,chr11 regions were identified to be associated with white fruitbody forming. White and Brown Fruitbody strains can be used as an identification marker for F. veluipes. We can develop some molecular markers to identify colored strains and discriminate national white varieties against Japanese ones.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.27 no.11
• /
• pp.1331-1339
• /
• 2017

DNA barcoding is the identification of a species based on the DNA sequence of a fragment of the cytochrome C oxidase subunit I (COI) gene in the mitochondrial genome. It is widely applied to assist with the sustainable development of fishery-product resources and the protection of fish biodiversity. This study attempted to verify horse-head fish (Branchiostegus japonicus) and fake horse-head fish (Branchiostegus albus) species, which are commonly consumed in Korea. For the validation of the two species, a real-time PCR method was developed based on the species' mitochondrial DNA genome. Inter-species variations in mitochondrial DNA were observed in a bioinformatics analysis of the mitochondrial genomic DNA sequences of the two species. Some highly conserved regions and a few other regions were identified in the mitochondrial COI of the species. In order to test whether variations in the sequences were definitive, primers that targeted the varied regions of COI were designed and applied to amplify the DNA using the real-time PCR system. Threshold-cycle (Ct) range results confirmed that the Ct ranges of the real-time PCR were identical to the expected species of origin. Efficiency, specificity and cross-reactivity assays showed statistically significant differences between the average Ct of B. japonicus DNA ($21.85{\pm}3.599$) and the average Ct of B. albus DNA ($33.49{\pm}1.183$) for confirming B. japonicus. The assays also showed statistically significant differences between the average Ct of B. albus DNA ($22.49{\pm}0.908$) and the average Ct of B. japonicus DNA ($33.93{\pm}0.479$) for confirming B. albus. The methodology was validated by using ten commercial samples. The genomic DNA-based molecular technique that used the real-time PCR was a reliable method for the taxonomic classification of animal tissues.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.28 no.9
• /
• pp.1056-1061
• /
• 2018

This article reports an agar-degrading marine bacterium and characterizes its agarase. The agar-degrading marine bacterium, KC-1, was isolated from seawater on the shores of Sacheon, in Gyeongnam province, Korea, using Marine Broth 2216 agar medium. To identify the agar-degrading bacterium as Agarivorans sp. KC-1, phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence was used. An extracellular agarase was prepared from a culture medium of Agarivorans sp. KC-1, and used for the characterization of enzyme. The relative activities at 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, and $70^{\circ}C$ were 65, 91, 96, 100, 77, and 35%, respectively. The relative activities at pH 5, 6, 7, and 8 were 93, 100, 87, and 82%, respectively. The extracellular agarase showed maximum activity (254 units/l) at pH 6.0 and $50^{\circ}C$ in 20 mM of Tris-HCl buffer. The agarase activity was maintained at 90% or more until 2 hr exposure at $20^{\circ}C$, $30^{\circ}C$ and $40^{\circ}C$, but it was found that the activity decreased sharply from $60^{\circ}C$. A zymogram analysis showed that Agarivorans sp. KC-1 produced 3 agar-degrading enzymes that had molecular weights of 130, 80, and 69 kDa. A thin layer chromatography analysis suggested that Agarivorans sp. KC-1 produced extracellular ${\beta}$-agarases as it hydrolyzed agarose to produce neoagarooligosaccharides, including neoagarohexaose (21.6%), neoagarotetraose (32.2%), and neoagarobiose (46.2%). These results suggest that Agarivorans sp. KC-1 and its thermotolerant ${\beta}$-agarase would be useful for the production of neoagarooligosaccharides that inhibit bacterial growth and delay starch degradation.

• Research in Plant Disease
• /
• v.22 no.2
• /
• pp.72-80
• /
• 2016

Gummy stem blight, caused by the fungus Didymella bryoniae, is major disease of watermelons worldwide. The objective of the present study was to establish an efficient screening system to identify watermelon resistant to D. bryoniae. An GSB3 isolate was prepared from a watermelon plant showing typical symptoms of gummy stem blight in Haman-gun and identified as D. bryoniae based on molecular analysis of internal transcribed spacer sequence. A simple mass-production technique of inoculum was developed based on spore production of D. bryoniae GSB3 under several incubation conditions and their virulence on watermelon plants. Resistance degrees of 22 commercial watermelon cultivars to the GSB3 isolate were evaluated. Among them, four watermelon cultivars showing different degree of resistance response were selected for further study. Development of disease on the cultivars according to various conditions including inoculum concentrations, incubation periods in dew chamber, and incubation temperatures was investigated. From the results, we suggest an efficient screening method for resistant watermelon cultivars to gummy stem blight. Seeds of watermelon cultivar are sown and grown in a greenhouse until plant stage of 2-fully expanded leaves. Seedlings are inoculated with D. bryoniae by spraying spore suspension of the fungus at a concentration of $5.0{\times}10^5spores/ml$. The infected plants are incubated in humidity chamber at $25^{\circ}C$ for 48 hours and then transferred to a growth chamber at $25^{\circ}C$ and 80% relative humidity with 12-hour light a day. Three to four days after inoculation, disease severity of the plant are measured using percentage of infected leaf area.