• BMB Reports
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• v.53 no.9
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• pp.453-457
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• 2020

The right-handed double-helical structure of DNA (B-DNA), which follows the Watson-Crick model, is the canonical form of DNA existing in normal physiological settings. Even though an alternative left-handed structure of DNA (Z-DNA) was discovered in the late 1970s, Z-form nucleic acid has not received much attention from biologists, because it is extremely unstable under physiological conditions, has an ill-defined mechanism of its formation, and has obscure biological functions. The debate about the physiological relevance of Z-DNA was settled only after a class of proteins was found to potentially recognize the Z-form architecture of DNA. Interestingly, these Z-DNA binding proteins can bind not only the left-handed form of DNA but also the equivalent structure of RNA (Z-RNA). The Z-DNA/RNA binding proteins present from viruses to humans function as important regulators of biological processes. In particular, the proteins ADAR1 and ZBP1 are currently being extensively re-evaluated in the field to understand potential roles of the noncanonical Z-conformation of nucleic acids in host immune responses and human disease. Despite a growing body of evidence supporting the biological importance of Z-DNA/RNA, there remain many unanswered principal questions, such as when Z-form nucleic acids arise and how they signal to downstream pathways. Understanding Z-DNA/RNA and the sensors in different pathophysiological conditions will widen our view on the regulation of immune responses and open a new door of opportunity to develop novel types of immunomodulatory therapeutic possibilities.

• BMB Reports
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• v.41 no.8
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• pp.568-574
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• 2008

Antisense RNA molecules are powerful tools for controlling the expression of specific genes but their use in prokaryotes has been limited by their unpredictable antisense effectiveness. Moreover, appreciation of the molecular mechanisms associated with silencing in bacteria is still restricted. Here we report our attempts to define an effective antisense strategy in E. coli, and to dissect the observed silencing process. Antisense constructs complementary to different regions of lacZ were investigated, and silencing was observed exclusively upon expression of antisense RNA hybridising the 5'UTR of lac messenger. The level of lacZ mRNA was reduced upon expression of this antisense construct, and the silencing competence was found to be closely associated with its stability. These observations may help in the design of antisense molecules directed against prokaryotic genes.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.242-247
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• 1992

Background: The ability to precisely measure specific mRNA levels by hybridization to complementary DNA probes is an important tool for analyzing the regulation of gene expression. Surfactant proteins have important roles in regulating surfactant metabolism as well as in determing its physical properties. Method: The complete coding regions for rat surfactant protein complementary DNA of surfactant protein B were subcloned into pGem 3Z or 4Z such that either antisense or sense transcripts were obtained by using SP 6 RNA polymerase. Surfactant protein B mRNA was measured by filter hybridization. Results: Equation of standard curve between counts per minute (Y) and surfactant protein B mRNA transcript input (X) was Y=2034.9 X+159.1. Correlation coefficient was 1.0. Couclusions: Filter hybridization assay is suited to situation when rapid, accurate quantitation of multiple samples is required.

• Genomics & Informatics
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.55-57
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• 2013

Growing numbers of studies employ cell line-based systematic short interfering RNA (siRNA) screens to study gene functions and to identify drug targets. As multiple sources of variations that are unique to siRNA screens exist, there is a growing demand for a computational tool that generates normalized values and standardized scores. However, only a few tools have been available so far with limited usability. Here, we present siMacro, a fast and easy-to-use Microsoft Office Excel-based tool with a graphic user interface, designed to process single-condition or two-condition synthetic screen datasets. siMacro normalizes position and batch effects, censors outlier samples, and calculates Z-scores and robust Z-scores, with a spreadsheet output of >120,000 samples in under 1 minute.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.791-793
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• 2009

Escherichia coli RNase P is composed of a large RNA subunit (M1 RNA) and a small protein subunit (C5 protein). Since both subunits are assembled in a 1:1 ratio, expression of M1 RNA and C5 protein should be coordinately regulated for RNase P to be efficiently synthesized in the cell. However, it is not known yet how the coordination occurs. In this study, we investigated how overexpression of C5 protein affects expression of the rnpB gene encoding M1 RNA, using a lysogenic strain, which carries an rnpB-lacZ transcription fusion. Primer extension analysis of rnpB-lacZ fusion transcripts showed that the overexpression of C5 protein increased the amount of the fusion transcripts, suggesting that rnpB expression increases with the increase of intracellular level of C5 protein.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.7 no.3
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• pp.167-171
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• 1997

As an initial effort to elucidate RNA: protein binding in a way to regulate translation initiation and phosphorylation, a cDNA encoding a double-stranded RNA binding factor (RBFII)was isolated from Hela ZAPII cDNA library by affinity screening using [$\alpha$$^{-32}$P] UMP-labeled HIV Rev-responsive element(RRE) RNA. The nucleotide sequence of RBF (or TRBP) cDNA except the 5’end. At the 5’end, This common ORF was fused in-frame to N-terminal residues of Lac-Z through a unique 138 nt sequence encoding 46residues in the case of RBFII and a 63 nt sequence encoding 21 residuces in the case of RBFI. The context of ATG appearing first in the sequences suggests that both these cDNA inserts are incomplete at the 5’end.

• The Plant Pathology Journal
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.142-150
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• 2009

The complete genome sequences of RNA3 and RNA4 of the 13 different Rice stripe virus (RSV) isolates were determined and characterized in this study to address the possible causes of the recent re-emergence of RSV that affected many rice fields in Korea. The genome size of each RNA segment varied among isolates and significant differences were observed in the intergenic region. There was up to 4% average divergence in the RNA4 nucleotide sequence among 13 Korean isolates and only 1.4% in the RNA3. Phylogenetic relationships among different Korean isolates revealed that there were at least 2 types of RNA3 and 4 distinct types of RNA4 genomes present in Korea. However, Korean isolates with one type of RNA3 predominate over the other while the occurrences of the RSV Korean isolates with the 4 types of RNA4 genome were not correlated to specific geographical areas. Results further indicate that RNA4 had diverged more than RNA3 and these differences in accumulation of mutations in the individual RNA segments indicate that genetic reassortment were likely to contribute to the genetic divergence in the 13 Korean isolates. All of the Korean-RNA3 sequences except for one isolate grouped with Chinese isolates (JY and Z). In contrast, the RNA 4 sequences segregated together with either Chinese (JY and Z) and Japanese (M and T) isolates but genetic relationships of Korean isolates- RNAs 3 and 4 segments to Chinese-Y isolate were low. Altogether, these results suggest that the occurrence of mixtures of RNAs 3 and 4 genotypes in the natural population of RSV may have contributed to the sudden outbreak in Korea.

• The Journal of Natural Sciences
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.83-91
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• 2004

Recently phage K11 lysozyme was cloned and characterized in our lab. The K11 lysozyme was identified to have dual functions. It not only cuts a peptidoglycan bond in bacterial cell wall but also acts as an inhibitor of K11 RNA polymerase. It has been known that the T7 lysozyme binds specifically to T7 RNA polymerase and inhibits transcription. The dual activities of K11 lysozyme are atreeable to the case of T7 phage lysozyme and RNA polymerare. In order to identify the binding magnitude of K11 lysozyme with K11 RNA polymerase, yeast two-hybrid system was used. K11 phage lysozyme gene was introduced into pLexA plasmid and used as a prey. Also, K11 phage RNA polymerase gene was introduced into pJG4-5 and used as a bait. The binding between K11 lysozyme and K11 RNA polymerase was demonstrated by expression of reporter genes such as lacZ and leu2.

• The Plant Pathology Journal
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.189-193
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• 2001

The relationships between the phytoplasmas infecting Zizyphus jujuba and Paulownia coreana were investigated by PCR-RELP. The 16S rRNA genes of the phytoplasmas were analyzed and compared with each other after PCR amplification. The amplified bands 1.4 kb in size were analyzed by both restriction digestion and sequencing after cloning into a plasmid vector. In some cases, two different kinds of inserts were observed in the isolates that originated from a single plant. However, many of them appeared to be the amplification products of chloroplastic 16S rRNA gene of host plants. The phytoplasma gene could be differentiated from the chloroplastic gene by restriction digestion of the plasmids carrying the amplification products. Only the recombinant plasmids carrying phytoplasma 16S rRNA gene produced a 1.4 kb band when digested with the enzyme BanII. Of the 52 recombinant plasmids analyzed, 42 appeared to contain inserts that originated from the chloroplastic 16S rRNA gene of the host plants. No variation was detected among 16S rRNA gene of nine phytoplasma isolates infecting Z. jujuba. However, the phytoplasmas infecting Z. jujuba were different from that infecting P. coreana.

• The Plant Pathology Journal
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.139-148
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• 2010

A virus causing stunt, yellowing, severe mosaic, malformation symptoms on leaves and uneven development and malformation on fruits of zucchini was prevalent around Goseong, Gyeongsangnam-do, Korea. A survey conducted (2004) in the Goseong area revealed about 20% virus infection rate. The disease causative identified as Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV-Z1) was further characterized. The isolate induces mosaic symptoms on Cucumis sativus, while severe mosaic, stunt and malformation on C. pepo. Thin section analyses have shown that virus inclusions are formed in the cuticle layers as well as epidermal, parenchyma and collenchymas cells in virus-infected Nicotiana tabacum. CMV-Z1 isolate induced specific cytoplasmic inclusion bodies such as irregular clumps (IC), crystal (Cr) and irregular chloroplasts (ICh). IC was made up of virus particles interspersed with a darkly stained amorphous material and found both in the cytoplasm and vacuoles, whereas ICh and Cr were rarely found in the vacuoles. The genome of CMV-Z1 RNA-1 consists of 3359 nucleotide (nt) encoding 1a protein of 993 amino acids (aa). The CMV-Z1 RNA-2 was 3050 nt in length containing 2a (857 aa) and 2b (110 aa), while RNA-3 encoding 3a movement protein (279 aa) and coat protein (218 aa) was 2215 nt in length. Phylogenetic analyses of nucleotide sequences of CMV-Z1 isolate appeared it is more closely related to subgroup IA than to subgroup IB or II.