• Proceedings of the National Institute of Ecology of the Republic of Korea
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.52-57
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• 2020

Bacterial symbionts are common across insects, including ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Reproduction-manipulating endosymbionts, such as Wolbachia, Spiroplasma, Rickettsia, and Cardinium, are closely associated with many aspects of host-insect life. In addition, phage WO plays an essential role in the phenotypic effects of Wolbachia. Although endosymbionts are possible biological control agents, there is a lack of knowledge of their rate of infection of ants in Korea. We tested a range of Korean ant species for the presence of Wolbachia, Spiroplasma, Rickettsia, Cardinium, and phage WO by extracting DNA from the ants and using specific primer sets to test the status of infections. In addition, the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase I (COI) gene of the host ants was amplified to confirm the molecular identification and phylogenetic relationship between the hosts. We found that infection with Wolbachia (29.6% of species) is relatively common when compared with that of other endosymbionts. Only one species was infected with Spiroplasma. Infection with Rickettsia and Cardinium was not detected in the examined ants. Most Wolbachia in ants were infected with phage WO. Although the phenotypic effects of endosymbionts in ants are still unknown, this first survey of endosymbionts in Korea is the first step toward the use of reproduction-manipulating endosymbionts.

• BMB Reports
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• v.37 no.5
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• pp.625-628
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• 2004

Homeobox genes encode a family of transcription factors that have essential roles in regulating the development of eukaryotes. Although they have been extensively studied in different phyla, relatively little is known about homeobox-containing genes and their function in molluscs. In this study, we used a polymerase chain reaction to investigate homeobox genes in the bivalve mollusc Pecten maximus. Four different homeobox sequences were identified; two were homologues of the non-Hox cluster gene caudal and the two remaining sequences had a significant homology to the ANT-C gene proboscipedia. These sequences represent the first cad and pb homologues isolated from a member of the class Bivalvia, phylum Mollusca.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.1-5
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• 1993

The gene for mannose enzyme II of phosphoenolpyruvate-dependent phosphotransferase system from Corynebacterium glutamicum KCTC 1445 was cloned into Escherichia coli ZSC113 using plasmid pBR 322. The recombinant plasmid, designated pCTS3, contained 2.2 kb DNA fragment, and the physical map of the cloned DNA fragment was determined. The E. coli ptsM ptsG mutant transformed with pCTS3 restored glucose and mannose fermentation ability, and grew well on these sugars as the sole carbon source in the minimal medium. The transform ant harboring pCTS3 showed a PTS-mediated repression of growth on maltose by mannose analogue, 2-deoxyglucose. The specificity of the response to 2DG therefore indicates that the cloned DNA fragment carries mannose enzyme II gene.

• The Plant Pathology Journal
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.159-161
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• 2003

The coat protein (CP) gene of Apple mosaic virus (ApMV), a member of the genus Ilarvirus, was selected for the design of virus-specific primers for amplification and molecular detection of the virus in cultivated apple. A combined assay of reverse transcription and polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was performed with a single pair of ApMV-specific primers and crude nucleic acid extracts from virus-infected apple for rapid detection of the virus. The PCR product was verified by restriction mapping analysis and by sequence determination. The lowest concentration of template viral RNA required for detection was 100 fg. This indicates that the RT-PCR for detection of the virus is a 10$^3$times more sensitive, reproducible and time-saving method than the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The specificity of the primers was verified using other unrelated viral RNAs. No PCR product was observed when Cucumber mosaic virus (Cucumovirus) or a crude extract of healthy apple was used as a template in RT-PCR with the same primers. The PCR product (669 bp) of the CP gene of the virus was cloned into the plasmid vector and result-ant recombinant (pAPCP1) was selected for molecule of apple transformation to breed virus-resistant transgenic apple plants as the next step. This method can be useful for early stage screening of in vitro plantlet and genetic resources of resistant cultivar of apple plants.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.105-113
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• 2011

The present study investigated the nuclear remodeling, development potential with telomerase activity and transcription level of X-linked genes (ANT3, HPRT, MeCP2, RPS4X, XIAP, XIST and ZFX) in the bovine somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) embryos using two different fusion and activation methods. Female adult fibroblasts were injected into perivitelline space of in vitro matured oocytes. The oocyte-nucleus complexes were fused and followed by immediately either activated (Group 1), or activated at 1 h post-fusion (hpf) (Group 2), respectively. The incidence of normal premature chromosome condensation (PCC) at 1 hpf was slightly increased in the Group 2, compared to those of Group 1, but there was no significant (p<0.05) difference. The incidence of normal pronucleus (PN) and chromosome spread at 5 and 18 hpf were significantly (p<0.05) higher in the Group 2 than those of Group 1. The cleavage rate to 2-cell stage, developmental rate to blastocyst stage, and the mean number of total and ICM cell numbers were significantly (p<0.05) higher in the Group 2, compared to those of Group 1. Level of telomerase activity was significantly (p<0.05) higher in the SCNT blastocysts of Group 2, compared to those of Group 1. Transcript levels of HPRT, MeCP2 and XIST were not significantly (p<0.05) different between blastocysts of Group 1 and 2. However, transcript level of ANT3, RPS4X, XIAP and ZFX were significantly (p<0.05) up-regulated in the SCNT blastocysts of Group 2, compared to those of Group 1. Taken together, it is concluded that oocyte activation at 1 hpf induces the enhanced developmental potential by efficient nuclear remodeling and subsequent facilitation of the nuclear reprogramming of bovine SCNT embryos.

• Journal of Microbiology
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.176-179
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• 2000

A challenge phage system was used to study the DNA-protein interaction between C4-dicarboxylic acid transport protein D(DCTD) or $\sigma$54, and a $\sigma$54 -dependent promoter, dctAp. R. meliloti dctA promoter regulatory region replaced the Omnt site on the phage. S. typhimurium strains overproducing either DCTD or $\sigma$54 directed this challenge phage towards lysogency, indicating that DCTD or E$\sigma$54 recognized the dctA promoter on the phage and repressed transcription of the ant gene. These challenge phage constructs will be useful for examining interactions between DCTD(or $\sigma$54) and the dctA promoter region.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.591-598
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• 2012

Aim and background: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of naturally occurring small noncoding RNAs that regulate gene expression, cell growth, differentiation and apoptosis by targeting mRNAs for translational repression or cleavage. The present study was conducted to study miRNAs in Egyptian breast cancer (BC) and their relation to metastasis, tumor invasion and apoptosis in addition to their association with the ER and PR statuses. Methods: Real Time RT-PCR was performed to identify the miRNA expression level of eight miRNAs and eight metastatic-related genes in 40 breast cancer samples and their adjacent non-neoplastic tissues. The expression levels of each miRNA relative to U6 RNA were determined using the $^{2-{\Delta}}CT$ method. Also, miRNA expression profiles of the BC and their corresponding ANT were evaluated. Results: The BC patients showed an up-regulation in miRNAs (mir-155, mir-10, mir-21 and mir-373) with an upregulation in MMP2, MMp9 and VEGF genes. We found down regulation in mir-17p, mir-126, mir-335, mir-30b and also TIMP3, TMP1 and PDCD4 genes in the cancer tissue compared to the adjacent non-neoplastic tissues. Mir -10b, mir -21, mir-155 and mir373 and the metastatic genes MMP2, MMP9 and VEGF were significantly associated with an increase in tumor size (P < 0.05). No significant difference was observed between any of the studied miRNAs regarding lymph node metastasis. Mir-21 was significantly over-expressed in ER-/PR-cases. Conclusion: Specific miRNAs (mir-10, mir-21, mir-155, mir-373, mir-30b, mir-126, mir-17p, mir-335) are associated with tumor metastasis and other clinical characteristics for BC, facilitating identification of individuals who are at risk.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.273-278
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• 2004

Complementary DNA encoding chloroplast outer envelope membrane protein (OEP) from the halophyte Salicornia herbacea has been cloned and sequenced. The full length cDNA is 596 bp and encodes a polypeptide of 91 amino acid residues with a molecular mass of 8.9 kDa. The expression level of ShOEP increased by salt, drought and ABA treatments. ShOEP expression was largely induced in roots and shoots by high salts. The biological function of ShOEP was examined by yeast complementation. ShOEP can suppress Na$^{+}$ sensitivity of yeast mutant (cnb$\Delta$) in the presence of salt. These results suggest that ShOEP is a salt inducible gene and may have functions in the regulation of plant salt stress.ant salt stress.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.232-238
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• 1992

Canz~~j~lohuc;tc.~jurn i werc studied for their heat shock responses at several elevated temperatures and their heat shock genes were detected by the technique of Southern hybridization. (.. ,jc\ulcorneruni sy~>thesized the major heat shock proteins of hsp90. hsphh. and hsphO at 48$^{\circ}$C . ant1 their w~u.ival rates were maintained as the same level at optimal temperature. '1-hc heat shock genes in chromosome of C ,jc:jutii werc determined to be homologous to the heat shock genes or E. t,oli. by showing strong signals in Southern hybridization analysis using clnaK and groESL- as DNA probe But the restriction sites for thc fragmcnts including heat shock genes were different betueen E. c,oli and C ,jtjuni.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.15 no.6
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• pp.1258-1266
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• 2005

The present study was carried out in order to assess the protective effects of calycosin-7-O-$\beta$-D-glucopyranoside, isolated from Astragali radix (AR), on hyaluronidase (HAase) and the recombinant human interleukin-$1\beta$ (IL-$1\beta$)-induced matrix degradation in human articular cartilage and chondrocytes. We isolated the active component from the n-butanol soluble fraction of AR (ARBu) as the HAase inhibitor and structurally identified as calycosin-7-O-$\beta$-D-glucopyranoside by LC-MS, IR, ${1}^H$ NMR, and ${13}^C$ NMR analyses. The $IC_{50}$ of this component on HAase was found to be 3.7 mg/ml by in vitro agarose plate assay. The protective effect of ARBu on the matrix gene expression of immortalized chondrocyte cell line C28/I2 treated with HAase was investigated using a reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and its effect on HAase and IL-$1\beta$-induced matrix degradation in human articular cartilage was determined by a staining method and calculating the amount of degraded glycosaminoglycan (GAG) from the cultured media. Pretreatment with calycosin-7-O-$\beta$-D-glucopyranoside effectively protected human chondrocytes and articular cartilage from matrix degradation. Therefore, calycosin-7-O-$\beta$-D-glucopyranoside from AR appears to be a potential natural ant-inflammatory or antii-osteoarthritis agent and can be effectively used to protect from proteoglycan (PG) degradation.