• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
• /
• v.34 no.2
• /
• pp.135-142
• /
• 1996

Antigenic domain of jai or surface protein (p30) of Toxoplosmc Sondii was analyzed after polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of its gene fragments. Hydrophilic or hydrophobic moiety of amino acid sequences were expressed as glutathione S-transferase (G57) fusion proteins. Fragments of p30 gene were as follows: 737, total p30 open reading frame (ORF) ; S28, total ORF excluding N-terminal signal sequence and C-terminal hydrophobic sequence; Al9, N-terminal 2/3 parts of A28; A19, N-terminal 2/3 of S28; P9, C-terminal 2/3 part of S28; Z9. middle 1/3 of S28; and 29, C-terminal 1/3 of S28. respectively. Primer of each fragment was synthesized to include clamp sequence of EcoR I restriction site. PCR amplified DNA was inserted info GST (26 kDa) expression vector, PGEX-47-1 to transform into Escheri,hia coei (.JM105 strain). G57 fusion proteins were expressed with IPTG induction as 63. 54, 45, 45, 35, 36. and 35 kDa proteins measured by SDS-PAGE. Each fusion protein was confirmed with G57 detection kit. Western blot analysis with the serum of a toxoplasmosis patient revealed antigenicity in proteins expressed by T37. S28, and Al9 but not those by Pl8. X9, Y10, and Z9. Antigenicity of p30 seems to be located either in N-terminal 115 part in the presence of middle 1/3 part or in the oligopeptides between margins of the first and second 1/3 parts.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.20 no.10
• /
• pp.1549-1555
• /
• 2010

Streptococcus suis is a worldwide pathogen of a variety of porcine infection and has also been described as a pathogen for humans. We studied biochemical characteristics, antimicrobial susceptibility, and identification of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of S. suis isolated from diseased pigs in Gyeongbuk province from 2004 to 2009. Sixty-one isolates were identified as S. suis by biochemical characteristics and PCR from 40 farms. The biochemical characteristics of S. suis isolates were production of VP-negative, hippurate, esculin, and arginine decarboxylase-positive, and fermentation of carbohydrate was variable lactose, trehalose, inulin, and raffinose, which was typeable 11 phenotype. In an antimicrobial susceptibility test, the majority of isolates were highly susceptible to amoxicillin/clavulanic acid, ampicillin, cephalothin, cefoperazone and florfenicol, while being highly resistant to streptomycin, kanamycin, amikacin, neomycin, erythromycin, clindamycin, and tetracycline. The isolates were divided into 11 phenotypes of biochemistry. By using PCR, the 16S-rRNA gene DNA fragment was detected at 304 bp from all of isolates. These results may provide the basic information needed to establish strategies for the prevention of S. suis infection in pigs.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.13 no.5
• /
• pp.2311-2314
• /
• 2012

Genetic polymorphisms of uridine diphosphate-glucuronosyltransferases 1A6 (UGT1A6) and 1A7 (UGT1A7) may lead to genetic instability and colorectal cancer carcinogenesis. Our objective was to measure the interaction between polymorphisms of these repair genes and tobacco smoking in colorectal cancer (CRC). A total of 68 individuals with CRC and 112 non-cancer controls were divided into non-smoker and smoker groups according to pack-years of smoking. Genetic polymorphisms of UGT1A6 and UGT1A7 were examined using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). We found a weak association of UGT1A6 polymorphisms with CRC risk (crude odds ratio [OR], 1.65;95% confidence interval [95% CI], 0.9-3.1, P=0.107; adjusted OR 1.95%, 95% CI 1.0-3.8, P=0.051). The ORs for the UGT1A7 polymorphisms were statistically significant (crude OR: 26.40, 95% CI: 3.5-198.4, P=0.001; adjusted OR: 21.52, 95% CI: 2.8-164.1, P=0.003). The joint effect of tobacco exposure and UGTIA6 polymorphisms was significantly associated with colorectal cancer risk in non-smokers (crude OR, 2.11; 95% CI, 0.9-5.0, P=0.092; adjusted OR 2.63, 95% CI, 1.0-6.7, P=0.042). In conclusion, our findings suggest that UGT1A6 and UGT1A7 gene polymorphisms are associated with CRC risk in the Japanese population. In particualr, UGT1A6 polymorphisms may strongly increase CRC risk through the formation of carcinogens not associated with smoking.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.19 no.2
• /
• pp.280-285
• /
• 2006

The current study was conducted to investigate the relationship between stress related gene and meat quality in pigs. A total number of 212 three-way cross bred (Landrace-$Yorkshire{\times}Duroc$) and 38 Duroc were sampled from the Korean pig industry to determine genotype frequency of porcine stress syndrome (PSS) and heat shock protein 70 kDa (HSP70) genes and their relationship with carcass traits and longissimus meat quality. Screen of HSP70 was performed by the single strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) technique. Based on the analysis of restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) in ryanodine receptor 1 (RYR1) gene, genetic disorder of PSS was related to a mutation at $18,168^{th}$ (C to T) of exon 17. There was no significant difference in ultimate meat pH and backfat thickness between HSP70 K1-AA type and -BB type in pure Duroc breed. In Landrace-$Yorkshire{\times}Duroc$ (L-$Y{\times}D$) cross bred pig, our results indicated that HSP70 derivate type in Duroc had a limited effect on backfat thickness, but L-$Y{\times}D$ type had a noticeable linkage with HSP70 K1-AA and K3-AB. This tendency was also observed in hot carcass weight where HSP70 K1-AA and K3-AB resulted in heavier weight with 86.3 kg compared to HSP70 K1-AB and K3-BB of 74.3 kg. Results imply that stress related HSP70 genotype has a potential association with backfat thickness and carcass weight.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
• /
• v.48 no.6
• /
• pp.468-475
• /
• 2015

Purpose: Genetic polymorphisms in antioxidant defense and detoxification genes may modulate the levels of oxidative stress biomarkers. Methods: A total of 301 healthy preschool-aged children in the Seoul and Kyung-gi areas were recruited. DNA was extracted from blood for genotyping of manganese superoxide dismutase (Mn-SOD) Val16Ala, glutathione S-transferase (GST) P1 Ile105Val, GSTT1 present/null, and GSTM1 present/null polymorphisms by PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism or multiplex PCR analyses. In addition to a questionnaire survey, the levels of urinary 8-hydroxyl-2-deoxiguanosine (8-OHdG) and plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) were measured by ELISA. Results: Significantly higher urinary 8-OHdG concentrations were observed in GSTP1 Ile/Val + Val/Val genotype (p = 0.030), and tended to be higher in Mn-SOD Val/Val genotype (p = 0.065). On the other hand, exposure to environmental tobacco smoking (ETS) and interaction between ETS and gene polymorphisms did not significantly influence either urinary 8-OHdG concentrations or serum MDA. Conclusion: Based on our findings, GSTP1 Ile/Val gene polymorphisms might modulate the levels of oxidative stress biomarkers in healthy preschool children.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
• /
• v.55 no.2
• /
• pp.106-115
• /
• 2011

Systematic toxicological analysis (STA) means the process for general unknown screening of drugs and toxic compounds in biological fluids. In order to establish STA, in previous study we investigated pattern of drugs & poisons in autopsy cases during 2007~2009 in Korea, and finally selected 62 drugs as target drugs for STA. In this study, rapid and simple drug identification and quantitative analytical program by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry(GC-MS) was developed. The in-house program, "DrugMan", consisted of modified chemstation data analysis menu and newly developed macro modules. Total 55 drugs among 62 target drugs were applied to this program, they were 14 antidepressants, 8 anti-histamines, 5 sedatives/hypnotics, 5 narcotic analgesics, 3 antipsychotic drugs, and etc. For calibration curves, fifty five drugs were divided into four groups of range considering their therapeutic or toxic concentrations in blood specimen, i.e. 0.05~1 mg/l, 0.1~1 mg/l, 0.1~5 mg/l or 0.5~10 mg/l. Standards spiked bloods were extracted by solid-phase extraction (SPE) with trimipramine-D3 as internal standard. Parameters such as retention times, 3 mass fragment ions, and calibration curves for each drug were registered to DrugMan. A series of identification, semi quantitation of target drugs and reporting the results were performed automatically. Calibration curves for most drugs were linear with correlation coefficients exceeding 0.98. Sensitivity rate of DrugMan was 0.90 (90%) for 55 drugs at the level of 0.5 mg/l. For standard spiked bloods at the level of 0.5 mg/l for 29 drugs, semi quantitative concentrations were ranged 0.36~0.64 mg/l by DrugMan. If more drugs are registered to database in DrugMan in further study, it will be useful tools for STA in forensic toxicology.

• Applied Biological Chemistry
• /
• v.47 no.2
• /
• pp.182-186
• /
• 2004

Morphological observation of roots and molecular technique were used to investigate the symbiotic relationships between arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi and ginseng roots. Korean ginseng, Panax ginseng, was collected from 8 sites in Korea. Colonization pattern of AM fungi in ginseng roots was determined as an Arum type under light microscopes. Nested PCR using AM fungal specific primers was employed to amplify a partial region on 18s rDNA of AM fungi from the root extracted mixed DNA. The amplified DNA was cloned and analyzed by random fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) with restriction enzymes, AluI, HinfI and AsuC21. One from each RFLP pattern was selected for sequencing. A total 16 clones were sequenced and identified as 2 species of AM fungi; Paraglomus brasilianum and Glomus spurcum. Paramglomus brasilianum was found from most of the ginseng roots, in this syudy suggesting that this species of AM fungi could have specific relationship with the ginseng root. Possible roles of AM fungal species in ginseng roots are discussed.

• Research in Plant Disease
• /
• v.14 no.1
• /
• pp.71-75
• /
• 2008

An isolate of Peanut stunt virus (PSV), named as Tr-PSV, was isolated from white clover (Trifolium repens L) showing mosaic symptom. Tr-PSV systemically infected all plants tested in the Nicotiana spp. and induced local lesions on inoculated leaves of Chenopodium amaranticolor. However, Tr-PSV induced typical mosaic symptoms as ER-PSV on Vigna unguiculata 5 to 6 days after inoculation, while Fny-CMV used as a control virus of Cucumovirus produced local lesions on inoculated leaves. In dsRNA analysis, Tr-PSV consisted of four dsRNAs, but satellite RNA was not detected. The cDNA of coat protein gene of Tr-PSV was amplified by RT-PCR using a Cucumovirus-specific single pair primers that designed to amplify a DNA fragment of approximately 950 bp. By restriction mapping analysis using RFLP of the RT-PCR products and by serological properties of gel diffusion test, Tr-PSV belongs to a typical member of PSV subgroup I. This is the first report on the occurrence of PSV in white clover in Korea.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
• /
• v.44 no.3
• /
• pp.152-158
• /
• 2017

Objective: To identify the associations between polymorphisms of the 3'-untranslated region (UTR) of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene, which codes for an important regulatory enzyme primarily involved in folate metabolism, and idiopathic recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) in Korean women. Methods: The study population comprised 369 RPL patients and 228 controls. MTHFR 2572C > A, 4869C > G, 5488C > T, and 6685T > C 3'-UTR polymorphisms were genotyped by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis or by TaqMan allelic discrimination assays. Natural killer cell proportions were determined by flow cytometry. Results: The MTHFR 2572-5488-6685 (A-C-T) haplotype had an adjusted odds ratio of 0.420 (95% confidence interval, 0.178-0.994; p= 0.048) for RPL. Analysis of variance revealed that MTHFR 4869C > G was associated with altered $CD56^+$ natural killer cell percentages (CC, $17.91%{\pm}8.04%$; CG, $12.67%{\pm}4.64%$; p= 0.024) and folate levels (CC, $12.01{\pm}7.18mg/mL$; CG, $22.15{\pm}26.25mg/mL$; p= 0.006). Conclusion: Variants in the 3'-UTR of MTHFR are potential biomarkers for RPL. However, these results should be validated in additional studies of ethnically diverse groups of patients.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
• /
• v.40 no.3
• /
• pp.307-315
• /
• 2022

In terms of habitat conservation, it is essential to develop a habitat assessment system that can evaluate not only the suitability of the current habitat, but also the health and stability of the habitat. This study aimed to develop a methodology of habitat quality assessment for endangered species by analyzing various existing habitat assessment methods. The habitat quality assessment consisted of selecting targeted species, planning of assessment, selecting targeted sites, assessing performance, calculating grade, and expert verification. Target sites were selected separately from core and potential habitats using a species distribution model or habitat suitability index. Habitat assessment factors were classified into ecological characteristic, landscape characteristic, and species-habitat characteristic. Ecological characteristic consisted of thirteen factors related to health of tree, vegetation, and soil. Landscape characteristic consisted of five factors related to fragment and connectivity of habitat. Species-habitat characteristic consisted of factors for evaluating habitat suitability depending on target species. Since meanings are different depending on characteristics, habitat quality assessment of this study could be used by classifying results for each characteristic according to various assessment purposes, such as designation of alternative habitats, assessment of restoration project, and protected area valuation for endangered species. Forest habitat quality assessment is expected to play an important role in conservation acts of endangered species in the future through continuous supplementation of this system in regard to quantitative assessment criteria and weighting for each factor with an influence.