• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.21-27
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• 2013

Anginosus group streptococci (AGS) were classified based on the nucleotide sequences of the 16S rRNA gene (16S rDNA) and comprised Streptococcus anginosus, Streptococcus intermedius, and Streptococcus constellatus. It is known that AGS is a causative factor of oral and systematic diseases. The purpose of this study was to discriminate the 56 clinical strains of AGS isolated from Korean oral cavities using phylogenetic analysis of 16S rDNA and species-specific PCR at the species-level. The 16S rDNA of clinical strains of AGS was sequenced using the dideoxy chain termination method and analyzed using MEGA version 5 software. PCR was performed to identify the clinical strains using species-specific primers described in previous studies and S. intermedius-specific PCR primers developed in our laboratory. The resulting phylogenetic data showed that the 16S rDNA sequences can delineate the S. anginosus, S. intermedius, and S. constellatus strains even though the 16S rDNA sequence similarity between S. intermedius and S. constellatus is above 98%. The PCR data showed that each species-specific PCR primer pair could discriminate between clinical strains at the species-level through phylogenetic analysis of 16S rDNA nucleotide sequences. These results suggest that phylogenetic analysis of 16S rDNA and PCR are useful tools for discriminating between AGS strains at the species-level.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.40 no.8
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• pp.533-541
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• 2017

Engineered DNA-binding domains provide a powerful technology for numerous biomedical studies due to their ability to recognize specific DNA sequences. Zinc fingers (ZF) are one of the most common DNA-binding domains and have been extensively studied for a variety of applications, such as gene regulation, genome engineering and diagnostics. Another novel DNA-binding domain known as a transcriptional activator-like effector (TALE) has been more recently discovered, which has a previously undescribed DNA-binding mode. Due to their modular architecture and flexibility, TALEs have been rapidly developed into artificial gene targeting reagents. Here, we describe the methods used to design these DNA-binding proteins and their key applications in biomedical research.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.645-654
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• 1995

Porphyromonas endodontalis is a black-pigmented anaerobic Gram negative rod which is associated with endodontal infections. It has been isolated from infected dental root canals and submucous abscesses of endodontal origin. DNA probe is an available alternative, offering the direct detection of a specific microorganism. Nucleic-acid probes can be off different types: whole different: whole-genomic, cloned or oligonucleotide probes. Wholegenomic probes are the most sensitive because the entire genome is used for possible hybridization sites. However, as genetically similar species of bacteria are likely to be present in specimences, cross-reactions need to be considered. Cloned probes are isolated sequences of DNA that do not show cross-reactivity and are produced in quantity by cloning in a plasmid vector. Cloned probes can approach the sensitivity found with whole-genomic probes while avoiding known cross-reacting species. Porphyromonas endodontalis ATCC 35406 (serotype $O_1K_1$) was selected in this experiment to develop specific cloned DNA probes. EcoR I-digested genomic DNA fragments of P. endodontalis ATCC 35406 were cloned into pUC18 plasmid vector. From the E. coli transformed with the recombinant plasmid 4 clones were selected to be tested as specific DNA probes. Restriction-digested whole-genomic DNAs prepared from P. gingivalis 38(serotype a), W50(serotype b), A7A1-28(serotype C), P. intermedia 9336(serotype b), G8-9K-3(serotype C), P. endodontalis ATCC 35406(serotype $O_1K_1$), A. a Y4(serotype b), 75(serotype a), 67(serotype c), were each seperated on agarose gel electrophoresis, blotted on nylon membranes, and were hybridized with digoxigenin-dUTP labeled probe. The results were as follows: 1. Three clones of 1.6kb(probe e), 1.6kb(probe f), and 0.9kb(probe h) in size, were obtained. These clones were identified to be a part of the genomic DNA of P. endodontalis ATCC 35406 judging from their specific hybridization to the genomic DNA fragments of their own size on Southern blot. 2. The clones of 4.9kb(probe i) was identified to be a part of the genomic DNA of P. endodontalis ATCC 35406. but not to specific for itself. It was hybridized to P. gingivalis A7A1-28, P. intermedia G89K-3.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.65-73
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• 2004

I report that single-stranded antisense as a part of large circular (LC-) genomic DNA of recombinant M13 phage exhibits enhanced stability, sequence specific antisense activity, and no need for target site search. A cDNA fragment (708 bp) of rat TNF-$\alpha$ was inserted into a phagemid vector, and TNF-$\alpha$ antisense molecules (TNF$\alpha$-LCAS) were produced as single-stranded circular DNA. When introduced into a rat monocyte/macrophage cell line, WRT7/P2, TNF$\alpha$-LCAS was able to ablate LPS-induced TNF-$\alpha$ mRNA to completion. The antisense effect of TNF$\alpha$-LCAS was shown to be sequence-specific because expressions of three control genes ($\beta$-actin, GAPDH and IL-1$\beta$) were not significantly altered by the antisense treatment. Further, TNF$\alpha$-LCAS was found to be highly efficacious as only 0.1 $\mu$g (0.24 nM) of TNF$\alpha$-LCAS was sufficient to block TNF-$\alpha$ expression in 1$\times10^5$ WRT7/P2 cells. I have also observed specific antisense activity in reduction of NF-$\kappa$B gene expression. The results suggest that an antisense sequence as a part of single-stranded circular genomic DNA has a specific antisense activity.

• KIEE International Transactions on Electrophysics and Applications
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• v.4C no.4
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• pp.133-136
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• 2004

This research aims to develop a DNA chip array without an indicator. We fabricated a microelectrode array through photolithography technology. Several DNA probes were immobilized on an electrode. Then, target DNA was hybridized and measured electrochemically. Cyclic-voltammograms (CVs) showed a difference between the DNA probe and mismatched DNA in an anodic peak. This indicator-free DNA chip resulted in a sequence-specific detection of the target DNA.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• v.45 no.2
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• pp.102-109
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• 2018

Thistle is a perennial plant that is widely used for medicinal purposes. Information on the genetic diversity of thistle populations are great important for their conservation and germ plasmic utilization. Although thistle is an important medicinal plant species registered in South Korea, no molecular markers are currently available to distinguish them from other similar species from different countries. In this study, we developed single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers derived from the nuclear ribosomal DNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions of genomic sequences to identify distinct Korean-specific thistle species via an amplification refractory mutation system (ARMS)-PCR and high resolution melting (HRM) curve analyses. We performed molecular authentication of four different kinds of thistle species from different regions using DNA sequences in the ITS intergenic region. We also developed a quantitative PCR assay using species-specific ITS primers, which allowed us to estimate the ratio of Korean-specific thistle species using varying ratios of mixed genomic DNA templates from the two species. The SNP markers developed in this study are useful for rapidly identifying specific thistle species from different countries.

• The Plant Pathology Journal
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.357-363
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• 2013

The fungus Venturia nashicola is the causal agent of scab on Asian pears. For the rapid and reliable identification as well as sensitive detection of V. nashicola, a PCR-based technique was developed. DNA fingerprints of three closely related species, V. nashicola, V. pirina, and V. inaequalis, were obtained by random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis. Two RAPD markers specific to V. nashicola were identified by PCR, after which two pairs of sequence characterized amplified region (SCAR) primers were designed from the nucleotide sequences of the markers. The SCAR primer pairs, designated as D12F/D12R and E11F/E11R, amplified 535-bp and 525-bp DNA fragments, respectively, only from genomic DNA of V. nashicola. The specificity of the primer sets was tested on strains representing three species of Venturia and 20 fungal plant pathogens. The nested PCR primer pair specific to V. nashicola was developed based on the sequence of the species-specific 525-bp DNA fragment amplified by primer set E11F/E11R. The internal primer pair Na11F/Na11R amplified a 235-bp fragment from V. nashicola, but not from any other fungal species tested. The nested PCR assay was sensitive enough to detect the specific fragment in 50 fg of V. nashicola DNA.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.220-227
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• 2007

The development of suitable genetic markers would be useful for defining species and delineating the species boundaries of morphologically indistinguishable sponges. In this study, genetic variation in the sequences of nuclear rDNA and the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 and 3 (CO1 and CO3) regions were compared in morphologically indistinguishable Korean Halichondriidae sponges in order to determine the most suitable species-specific molecular marker region. The maximal congeneric nucleotide divergences of Halichondriidae sponges in CO1 and CO3 are similar to those found among anthozoan cnidarians, but they are 2- to 8-fold lower than those found among genera of other triploblastic metazoans. Ribosomal internal transcribed spacer regions (ITS: ITS1 + ITS2) showed higher congeneric variation (17.28% in ITS1 and 10.29% in ITS2) than those of CO1 and CO3. Use of the guidelines for species thresholds suggested in the recent literature indicates that the mtDNA regions are not appropriate for use as species-specific DNA markers for the Halichondriidae sponges, whereas the rDNA ITS regions are suitable because ITS exhibits a low level of intraspecific variation and a relatively high level of interspecific variation. In addition, to test the reliability of the ITS regions for identifying Halichondriidae sponges by PCR, a species-specific multiplex PCR primer set was developed.

• Food Science and Biotechnology
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.67-70
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• 2007

Mackerel (Scomber japonicus) often causes severe allergic reactions in sensitive people. Food containing undeclared mackerel may pose a risk to such people. The major allergenic protein in fish such as mackerel, codfish, and Alaska pollack has been found to be parvalbumin. In this study, we developed a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method to detect mackerel DNA using primers corresponding to the parvalbumin gene. We cloned and sequenced 1.5 kb of parvalbumin gene by PCR using mackerel genomic DNA as a template. Nucleotide sequence analysis of genomic parvalbumin gene, composed of 4 exons and 3 introns, allowed the selection of two pairs of oligonucleotide primers specific for mackerel. These primers successfully enabled PCR amplification of specific regions of genomic parvalbumin DNA from mackerel, but no amplification from 8 other fish samples, surimi, and 6 boiled fish pastes. The sensitivity of this method was sufficient to detect 5 ng of purified mackerel DNA mixed with 50 ng of surimi DNA. This rapid and specific method for the detection of allergenic mackerel would be beneficial in reducing food allergy caused by the ingestion of hidden allergen in processed food.

• Animal Systematics, Evolution and Diversity
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.258-263
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• 2020

The aim of this study is to report monotypic species, Nonparahalosydna pleiolepis(Marenzeller, 1879) for the first time from Korean waters with its DNA barcoding data. We collected individuals of the species from the subtidal zone of southern coast of Korea through scuba diving. To estimate DNA barcoding gap, the pairwise genetic distances were calculated between N. pleiolepis and its congeners (Halosydna brevisetosa Kinberg, 1856 and Lepidonotus squamatus (Linnaeus, 1758)) based on the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene (COI). Inter-specific genetic distances ranged from 18.7% to 24.6%, while intra-specific genetic distance within N. pleiolepis ranged from 0.3% to 0.5%. The maximum intra-specific genetic distance among the three species was 1.4%. The morphological diagnosis of N. pleiolepis with a taxonomic note on the species were also provided.