• Journal of Interdisciplinary Genomics
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.6-13
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• 2024

Background: ABO typing is crucial for ensuring safe blood transfusion and is commonly performed by examining antigen-antibody interactions. Determining ABO blood group can be difficult when dealing with ABO discrepancy and ABO subgroups. ABO genotyping may be necessary to resolve ABO discrepancy. ABO genotyping primarily involves direct sequencing, with the possibility of using other molecular methods. Methods: PCR and direct sequencing of exons 6 and 7 were performed for total 108 samples from June 2010 to December 2019. Also, other molecular methods including cloning sequencing and short tandem repeat analysis were carried out just in case. Sequencing data were compared with allele information of blood group antigen mutation databases. Results: The predominant causal allele among 108 ABO discrepant cases was cis-AB01, with 28 cases. This was followed by rare ABO alleles (B309, B306, A204, Bw29, and Ax01) with 14 cases, and blood chimera with 5 cases. Five new alleles were identified during the investigation. Conclusion: This study reaffirms that cis-AB is the most common cause of inherited ABO discrepancies, and cis-AB01 is the most prevalent cis-AB allele in the Korean population, also in the southeastern region. In addition, we discovered five new alleles and five blood chimeras by adopting sequencing analysis and additional molecular techniques to resolve ABO discrepancies, which provide regional data on rare alleles. This study presents rare and new ABO alleles and blood chimeras identified over a ten-year period at two major university hospitals in Southeastern Korea.

• Journal of Genetic Medicine
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.59-66
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• 2010

Purpose: Quantitative fluorescent polymerase chain reaction (QF-PCR) allows for the rapid prenatal diagnosis of common aneuploidies. The main advantages of this assay are its low cost, speed, and automation, allowing for large-scale application. However, despite these advantages, it is not a routine method for prenatal aneuploidy screening in Korea. Our objective in the present study was to validate the performance of QF-PCR using short tandem repeat (STR) markers in a Korean population as a means for rapid prenatal diagnosis. Material and Methods: A QF-PCR assay using an Elucigene kit (Gen-Probe, Abingdon, UK), containing 20 STR markers located on chromosomes 13, 18, 21, X and Y, was performed on 847 amniotic fluid (AF) samples for prenatal aneuploidy screening referred for prenatal aneuploidy screening from 2007 to 2009. The results were then compared to those obtained using conventional cytogenetic analysis. To evaluate the informativity of STR markers, the heterozygosity index of each marker was determined in all the samples. Results: Three autosomes (13, 18, and 21) and X and Y chromosome aneuploidies were detected in 19 cases (2.2%, 19/847) after QF-PCR analysis of the 847 AF samples. Their results are identical to those of conventional cytogenetic analysis, with 100% positive predictive value. However, after cytogenetic analysis, 7 cases (0.8%, 7/847) were found to have 5 balanced and 2 unbalanced chromosomal abnormalities that were not detected by QF-PCR. The STR markers had a slightly low heterozygosity index (average: 0.76) compared to those reported in Caucasians (average: 0.80). Submicroscopic duplication of D13S634 marker, which might be a unique finding in Koreans, was detected in 1.4% (12/847) of the samples in the present study. Conclusion: A QF-PCR assay for prenatal aneuploidy screening was validated in our institution and proved to be efficient and reliable. However, we suggest that each laboratory must perform an independent validation test for each STR marker in order to develop interpretation guidelines of the results and must integrate QF-PCR into the routine cytogenetic laboratory workflow.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.2 no.3
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• pp.163-167
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• 2002

Purpose: Interleukin 1$\beta$ (IL-1$\beta$) polymorphisms are associated with hypochlorhydria, atrophic gastritis, and increased risk of gastric cancer in Caucasians. We tried to determine whether the IL-1.. and IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1 RN) genetic polymorphisms contribute to the development of gastric cancer and the specific type of gastritis in Korean. Materials and Methods: The study population was comprised of 128 gastric cancer patients with histologically proven carcinoma and 63 normal healthy individuals. Sixty-eight carcinomas were of intestinal-type and sixty tumors were of diffuse-type. No patient had a familial gastric cancer history. The 511 bp and 31 bp polymorphisms in the IL-1.. were genotyped by polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-restriction fragment length polymorphism. The polymorphism of the IL-1 RN was analyzed with variable number tandem repeat after PCR. Results: The genotype of 511C/-31T of IL-1$\beta$ and allele 1 of IL-1 RN was dominant in the present subjects. The allelic frequencies of the C allele IL-1$\beta$, which is a high risk genotype for gastric cancer, were 0.551 and 0.429 in gastric cancer and normal controls, respectively. Statistically, significant difference in allelic frequencies of three polymorphic sites between gastric cancer patients and normal controls, and between intestinal-type and diffuse-type was not observed. Conclusions: These results suggest that the polymorphisms of IL-1$\beta$ and IL-1 RN may not contribute to the development of Korean gastric caner and that other endogenous or exogenous factors will be important for gastric carcinogenesis.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.127-134
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• 2010

This study was to investigate the effect of flavonoid treatment on in vitro development of bovine somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) embryos, and their pregnancy and delivery rate after embryo transfer into recipient. In experiment 1, to optimize the flavonoid concentration, parthenogenetic day 2 ($\geq$ 2-cell) embryos were cultured in 0 (control), 1, 10 and $20\;{\mu}M$ flavonoid for 6 days. In the results, in vitro development rate was the highest in $10\;{\mu}M$ flavonoid group (57.1%) among treatment groups (control, 49.5%; $1\;{\mu}M$, 54.2%; $20\;{\mu}M$, 37.5%), and numbers of total and ICM cells were significantly (p<0.05) higher in $10\;{\mu}M$ flavonoid group than other groups. We found that $10\;{\mu}M$ flavonoid treatment can significantly (p<0.05) decrease the apoptotic index and derive high expression of anti-oxidant, anti-apoptotic, cell growth and development marker genes such as Mn-SOD, Survivin, Bax inhibitor, Glut-5, In-tau, compared to control group. In experiment 2, to produce the cloned Jeju Black Cattle, beef quality index grade 1 bull somatic cells were transferred into enucleated bovine MII oocytes and reconstructed embryos were cultured in $10\;{\mu}M$ flavonoid added medium. When the in vitro produced day 7 or 8 SCNT blastocysts were transferred into a number of recipients, $10\;{\mu}M$ flavonoid treatment group presented higher pregnancy rate (10.2%, 6/59) than control group (5.9%, 2/34). Total three cloned Jeju Black calves were born. Also, two cloned calves in $10\;{\mu}M$ flavonoid group were born and both were all healthy at present, while the one cloned calf born in control group was dead one month after birth. In addition, when the result of short tandem repeat marker analysis of each cloned calf was investigated, microsatellite loci of 11 numbers matched genotype between donor cell and cloned calf tissue. These results demonstrated that the flavonoid addition in culture medium may have beneficial effects on in vitro and in vivo developmental capacity of SCNT embryos and pregnancy rate.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.77-83
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• 2011

One-step dilution and direct transfer would be a practical technique for the field application of frozen embryo. This study was to examine whether Jeju Black Cattle (JBC, Korean Cattle) can be successfully cloned from vitrified and one-tep diluted somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) blastocyst after direct transfer. For vitrification, JBC-SCNT blastocysts were serially exposed in glycerol (G) and ethylene glycol (EG) mixtures [10%, (v/v) G for 5 min., 10% G plus 20% EG (v/v) for 5 min., and 25% G plus 25% EG (v/v) for 30 sec.] which is diluted in 10% FBS added D-PBS. And then SCNT blastocysts were loaded in 0.25 ml mini straw, placed in cold nitrogen vapor for 3 min. and then plunged into $LN_2$. One-step dilution in straw was done in $25^{\circ}C$ water for 1 min, by placing vertically in the state of plugged-end up and down for 0.5 min, respectively. When in vitro developmental capacity of vitrified SCNT blastocyst was examined at 48 h after one-step dilution, hatched rate (56.4%) was slightly lower than that of control group (62.5%). In field trial, when the vitrified-thawed SCNT blastocysts were transferred into uterus of synchronized 5 recipients, a cloned female JBC was delivered by natural birth on day 299 and healthy at present. In addition, when the short tandem repeat marker analysis of the cloned JBC was evaluated, microsatellite loci of 11 numbers was perfectly matched genotype with donor cell (BK94-14). This study suggested that our developed vitrification and one-step dilution technique can be applied effectively on field trial for cloned animal production, which is even no longer in existence.

• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.79-84
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• 2016

A small and inexpensive thermal cycler (PCR machine), known as the MiniPCR^TM Mini8 Thermal Cycler (Amplyus, Cambridge, MA, USA), was developed. In this study, the performance of this PCR machine was compared with the GeneAmp^® PCR system 9700 (Applied Biosystems) using four autosomal short tandem repeat (STR) kits, a Y-chromosome STR kit, and a mitochondrial DNA HV1/HV2 sequence analysis. The sensitivity and stochastic effects of the STR multiplex kits and the quality of the DNA sequence analysis were similar between the two PCR machines. The MiniPCR^TM Mini8 Thermal Cycler could be used for analyses at forensic DNA laboratories and crime scenes. The cost of the PCR is so economical that school laboratories and individuals could use the machines.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.205-212
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• 2008

Genetic variation in the human genome occurs on various levels; from the single nucleotide polymorphism to large, microscopically visible chromosome anomalies. It can be present in many forms, including variable number of tandem repeat (VNTRs; e.g., mini- and microsatellites), presence/absence of transposable elements (e.g., Alu elements), single nucleotide polymorphisms, and structural alterations (e.g., copy number variation, segmental duplication, inversion, translocation). Until recently SNPs were thought to be the main source of genetic and phenotypic human variation. However, the use of methods such as array comparative genomic hybridization (array CGH) and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) have revealed the presence of copy number variations(CNVs) ranging from kilobases (kb) to megabases (Mb) in the human genome. There is great interest in the possibility that CNVs playa role in the etiology of common disease such as HIV-1/AIDS, diabetes, autoimmune disease, heart disease and cancer. The discovery of widespread copy number variation in human provides insights into genetic variability among populations and provides a foundation for studies of the contribution of CNVs to evolution and disease.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.27 no.11
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• pp.2044-2051
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• 2017

The main pathological hallmark of Alzheimer's disease is the deposition of amyloid-beta ($A{\beta}$) peptides in the brain. $A{\beta}$ has been widely used to mimic several aspects of Alzheimer's disease. However, several characteristics of amyloid-induced Alzheimer's disease pathology are not well established, especially in mice. The present study aimed to develop a new Alzheimer's disease model by investigating how $A{\beta}$ can be effectively aggregated using prokaryotes and eukaryotes. To express the $A{\beta}42$ complex in HEK293 cells, we cloned the $A{\beta}42$ region in a tandem repeat and incorporated the resulting construct into a eukaryotic expression vector. Following transfection into HEK293 cells via lipofection, cell viability assay and western blotting analysis revealed that exogenous $A{\beta}42$ can induce cell death and apoptosis. In addition, recombinant His-tagged $A{\beta}42$ was successfully expressed in Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3) and not only readily formed $A{\beta}$ complexes, but also inhibited the proliferation of SH-SY5Y cells and E. coli. For in vivo testing, recombinant His-tagged $A{\beta}42$ solution ($3{\mu}g/{\mu}l$ in $1{\times}PBS$ containing $1mM\;Ni^{2+}$) was injected stereotaxically into the left and right lateral ventricles of the brains of C57BL/6J mice (n = 8). Control mice were injected with $1{\times}PBS$ containing $1mM\;Ni^{2+}$ following the same procedure. Ten days after the sample injection, the Morris water maze test confirmed that exogenous $A{\beta}$ caused an increase in memory loss. These findings demonstrated that $Ni^{2+}$ is capable of complexing the 50-kDa amyloid and that intracerebroventricular injection of $A{\beta}42$ can lead to cognitive impairment, thereby providing improved Alzheimer's disease models.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.50 no.4
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• pp.445-456
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• 2008

Telomeres consist of TTAGGG tandem repeated DNA sequences with specific proteins and locate at chromosome ends. Telomeres are essential for chromosome stability and are related with cell senescence, apoptosis and cancer. Telomerase is a ribonucleoprotein which has a template for the synthesis of telomeric DNA. This study was carried out to analyze the amount of telomeric DNA and telomerase activity in cattle cells. Analysis of the quantity of telomere in lymphocytes was done at different ages, sex and among Korean cattle and Holstein breeds. The telomerase activity was also analyzed in liver, brain, heart, kidney, and testis tissues of fetal calf and of 18 month old cattle. The amount of telomeres in lymphocytes and other tissue cells was analyzed by Quantitative-Fluorescence in situ Hybridization (Q-FISH) technique using a telomeric DNA probe. Telomerase activity was analyzed by Telomeric Repeat Amplification Protocol assay (TRAP). The amount of telomeric DNA on the lymphocytes during the whole life span was decreased along with age. Quantity of telomeres in Korean cattle was significantly higher than that in Holstein breed. The amount of telomeric DNA in males was significantly higher than that in females. Telomerase activity was up-regulated in most bovine tissues during fetal stage, but was down-regulated in most tissues at mature 18 month age except the testis cells. This study indicates that the amount of telomeres and telomerase activity of cells can be used as an age marker or/and a physiological marker of cattle.

• The Korean Journal of Zoology
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.378-386
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• 1996

We have developed a couple of new luciferase reporter plasmida with very low background reporter actlvltlea. One can be used to measure the promoter strength, after insertion of some promoter fragment into the reporter plasmid, and the other, with very low basal promoter actlvltlea, allis In studying eukaryotic transcriptional regulators. The latter reporter plasmid contains such cli elements as a 17 nucleotide long inftlator, Spl.blndIng sftes, GAL4 binding sltea, and bInding sitea for a certain Drosophila homeodomain proteins. In an attempt to construct an improved reporter plaimid by fadlltating transcriptional termination and minimizing any interference by cryptic promoters which may be preaent in the reporter pleamld DNA, we have inserted transsrlptional termination-related signals, a three tandem repeat of SV4O polyadenylatlon signal (AAA) and the putative transcrtptional termination signal (UMS) of the mouse c-mos gene, Into just upstream of the initIator, and the promoter actlvitiea were measured by a transIent expression assay employing the Drosophila Schneider line 2 cells. As expected, the basal promoter activitIes decreased maximally when both transcription termination related elements were inserted. Moreover, the reporter plasmld with the two elements allowed more sensitive measurement of transcriptional activation than the reporter piasmid without them. Theae reporter plasmids can be used for studying transcriptional regulators of higher organisms Including mammals as well as Droiophlla melanogaiter.