• Journal of Veterinary Science
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.19.1-19.10
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• 2020

Given that the current Newcastle disease virus (NDV) infection in wild birds poses the threat to poultry, surveillance of Newcastle disease in captive wild birds was carried out in Jilin, China in 2018. Here, an NDV strain obtained from toco toucan was firstly characterized. The results showed that the F gene of the NDV isolate Toucan/China/3/2018 is classified as genotype II in class II. Sequence analysis of the F0 cleavage site was ¹¹³RQGR/L¹¹⁷, which supports the result of the intracerebral pathogenicity index assay indicating classification of the isolate as low-pathogenicity. Experimental infection demonstrated that Toucan/China/3/2018 can effectively replicate and transmit among chickens. To our knowledge, this is the first report on genetically and pathogenically characterizing NDV strain isolated from toucan, which enriches the epidemiological information of NDV in wild birds.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• v.44 no.1
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• pp.89-96
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• 2017

The CRISPR/Cas9 is a core technology that can result in a paradigm for breeding new varieties. This study describes in detail the sgRNA design, vector construction, and the development of a transgenic plant and its molecular analysis, and demonstrates how gene editing technology through the CRISPR/Cas9 system can be applied easily and accurately. CRISPR/Cas9 facilitates targeted gene editing through RNA-guided DNA cleavage, followed by cellular DNA repair mechanisms that introduce sequence changes at the site of cleavage. It also allows the generation of heritable-targeted gene mutations and corrections. Here, we present detailed procedures involved in the CRISPR/Cas9 system to acquire faster, easier and more cost-efficient gene edited transgenic rice. The protocol described here establishes the strategies and steps for the selection of targets, design of sgRNA, vector construction, and analysis of the transgenic lines. The same principles can be used to customize the versatile CRISPR/Cas9 system, for application to other plant species.

• BMB Reports
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.304-313
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• 2004

Three-dimensional (3D) models for the 65-kDa activated Cry4A and Cry4B $\delta$-endotoxins from Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. israelensis that are specifically toxic to mosquito-larvae were constructed by homology modeling, based on atomic coordinates of the Cry1Aa and Cry3Aa crystal structures. They were structurally similar to the known structures, both derived 3D models displayed a three-domain organization: the N-terminal domain (I) is a seven-helix bundle, while the middle and C-terminal domains are primarily comprise of anti-parallel $\beta$-sheets. Circular dichroism spectroscopy confirmed the secondary structural contents of the two homology-based Cry4 structures. A structural analysis of both Cry4 models revealed the following: (a) Residues Arg-235 and Arg-203 are located in the interhelical 5/6 loop within the domain I of Cry4A and Cry4B, respectively. Both are solvent exposed. This suggests that they are susceptible to tryptic cleavage. (b) The unique disulphide bond, together with a proline-rich region within the long loop connecting ${\alpha}4$ and ${\alpha}5$ of Cry4A, were identified. This implies their functional significance for membrane insertion. (c) Significant structural differences between both models were found within domain II that may reflect their different activity spectra. Structural insights from this molecular modeling study would therefore increase our understanding of the mechanic aspects of these two closely related mosquito-larvicidal proteins.

• Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.56-63
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• 1994

Oligonucleotides for a conserved region of the coat protein gene of cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) and a hammerhead structure ribozyme against CMV RNA were synthesized using a DNA synthesizer. Both strands of oligonucleotides were annealed and restricted with BamHI/SacI, then cloned into a plasmid pBS SK (+). The cloned CMV substrate and ribozyme were sequenced to verify correct constructions. In vitro transcriptions were carried out by using T7 RNA polymerase with BssHII or SspI digests of $1\;{\mu}g$ of substrate and ribozyme clones. The size of substrate RNA was 176 nucleotides (nt) containing 50 nt of CMV RNA sequence, 6 nt of XbaI restriction site and 120 nt of vector-derived sequence in the case of BssHII digest. The size of ribozyme RNA was 164 nt containing 40 nt of ribozyme RNA sequence and same sequences of substrate. Substrate RNA was efficiently cleaved into two fragments (96 nt and 80 nt) by ribozyme RNA. This endonucleolytic cleavage occurred more efficiently at $55^{\circ}C$ than $37^{\circ}C$. SspI digest-derived substrate RNA (2234 nt) was also cleaved into two fragments by the same ribozyme. SspI digest-derived ribozyme RNA (2222 nt) cleaved the above substrate to two fragments. In vitro-tested ribozyme construct is being cloned into a plant transformation vector to develop virus-resistant plants.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.119-126
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• 2003

Objective: This study was carried out to compare the clinical outcomes of intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) in patients with obstructive azoospermia according to sperm retrieval site and technique; microsurgical epididymal sperm aspiration (MESA), percutaneous epididymal sperm aspiration (PESA), testicular sperm extraction by open biopsy (TESE). Methods: The outcomes of ICSI and IVF-ET were evaluated and compared among 3 groups. Seventy three men suffering from infertility due to obstructive azoospermia had 107 ICSI cycles using MESA (21 cycles in 15 patients), PESA (26 cycles in 17 patients) and TESE (60 cycles in 41 patients). Results: In the clinical outcomes in patients undergoing ICSI with epididymal or testicular sperm, there were no significant differences in fertilization rate (66.1% vs. 60.5%), cleavage rate (94.9% vs. 97.6%), cumulative embryo score (CES) (51.3 vs. 58.8), implantation rate (7.9% vs. 6.1), and clinical pregnancy rate per ET (30.4% (14/46) vs. 25.4% (15/59)) between both groups. Also, in the clinical outcomes in ICSI patients using MESA, PESA, TESE, there were no significant differences in fertilization rate (61.8%, 69.4%, 60.5%), cleavage rate (92.1%, 97.3%, 97.6%), CES (38.1, 52.0, 58.8), implantation rate (9.5%, 6.6%, 6.1%), and clinical pregnancy rate per ET (35% (7/20), 26.9% (7/26), 25.4% (15/59)) among 3 groups. Conclusion: When compared with MESA or TESE, PESA, the clinical outcomes were similar in ICSI patients with obstructive azoospermia whatever the origin or the technique of sperm retrieval. However, we considered PESA is more time-saving and cost effective for ICSI in patients with obstructive azoospermia.

• Journal of Dental Rehabilitation and Applied Science
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.373-388
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• 2010

Fracture causes serious problems in many instance of prosthetic failures. But it is hard to find the definite causes when fractures occur. Fractography encompasses the examination of fracture surfaces that contain features resulting from the interaction of the advancing crack with the microstructure of the material and the stress fields. All fractured specimens(implant retaining screw) retrieved from Gangneung-Wonju national university dental hospital for 3 years(from 2007 to 2009). After pretreatment of samples, the scanning electon microscope were used for surface examination and fracture analysis. In case of most of the fractured specimens, fracture took place by fatigue fracture and fractured surface represents fatigue striation. Fatigue striation indicate the progression of the crack front under cyclic loading, are characteristic of stage 2 crack growth. The site of crack initiation and stage 1 crack growth were not easily identified in any of the failure, presumably because of the complex microstructural features of the polycrystalline sample. In case of fractured by overload, dimpled or cleavage surface were observed. Using the interpretation of characteristic markings(ratchet mark, fatigue striation, dimple, cleavage et al) in fracture surfaces, failure events containing the crack origin, crack propagation, material deficiency could be understand. Using the interpretation of characteristic markings in fracture surfaces, cause and mechanism of fractures could be analyzed.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.41-47
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• 1982

Typical stratigraphic sequences of Paleozoic form the Baegunsan Syncline (equal to Hambaeg Syncline) and Taebaegsan Group is the basement in the southern part of Kangweon Province. Deformation pattern depends on their stratigraphic site and their internal properties. In the biotite schists and meta-sandstones of Pre-Cambrian sequences, flow folds and ptygmatic folds are developed, and high strain deformation is pervasive. Deformational patterns of Cambro-Ordovician are variable because of their various formations. Fracturing is pervasive in the Jangsan Quartzite and Daegi and Maggol Limestone. Welldeveloped slaty cleavage and angular folds of kink and chevron types are the prevailing structures of pelitic rocks. The most characteristic feature of limestone alternated with argillite is the "Compositional cleavage (Author's proposal)" known as the "Worm-eatern" structures. It was known that this structures have a sedimentary origin. But their preferred orienation of long axis of erosional lime holes, originated from tectonic deformation of folding. And this structures have the same character as the axial plane cleavages. Fracturing and long wave concentric folds are dominant characters of the Upper Paleozic sequences. In this area, two folds are superimposed. Field studying and analysis of structures show that the cross-folds of NS-direction are pervasive and were deformed by the EW-directional Baegunsan Syncline. The cross-folding is the major and penetrative deformation and prior to Baegunsan Syncline.

• International Journal of Oncology
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• v.56 no.1
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• pp.368-378
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• 2020

Meridianin C is a marine natural product with anticancer activity. Several meridianin C derivatives (compounds 7a-j) were recently synthesized, and their inhibitory effects on pro-viral integration site for Moloney murine leukemia virus (PIM) kinases, as well as their antiproliferative effects on human leukemia cells, were reported. However, the anti-leukemic effects and mechanisms of action of meridianin C and its derivatives remain largely unknown. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of meridianin C and its derivatives on MV4-11 human acute myeloid leukemia cell growth. The parent compound meridianin C did not markedly affect the viability and survival of MV4-11 cells. By contrast, MV4-11 cell viability and survival were reduced by meridianin C derivatives, with compound 7a achieving the most prominent reduction. Compound 7a notably inhibited the expression and activity of PIM kinases, as evidenced by reduced B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2)-associated death promoter phosphorylation at Ser112. However, meridianin C also suppressed PIM kinase expression and activity, and the pan-PIM kinase inhibitor AZD1208 only slightly suppressed the survival of MV4-11 cells. Thus, the anti-survival effect of compound 7a on MV4-11 cells was unrelated to PIM kinase inhibition. Moreover, compound 7a induced apoptosis, caspase-9 and -3 activation and poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) cleavage, but did not affect death receptor (DR)-4 or DR-5 expression in MV4-11 cells. Compound 7a also induced the generation of cleaved Bcl-2, and the downregulation of myeloid cell leukemia (Mcl)-1 and X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis (XIAP) in MV4-11 cells. Furthermore, compound 7a increased eukaryotic initiation factor (eIF)-2α phosphorylation and decreased S6 phosphorylation, whereas GRP-78 expression was unaffected. Importantly, treatment with a pan-caspase inhibitor (z-VAD-fmk) significantly attenuated compound 7a-induced apoptosis, caspase-9 and -3 activation, PARP cleavage, generation of cleaved Bcl-2 and downregulation of Mcl-1 and XIAP in MV4-11 cells. Collectively, these findings demonstrated the strong anti-survival and pro-apoptotic effects of compound 7a on MV4-11 cells through regulation of caspase-9 and -3, Bcl-2, Mcl-1, XIAP, eIF-2α and S6 molecules.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.159-165
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• 2007

For the development of basic genetic materials for specific and effective therapeutic approach to suppress multiplication of hepatitis C virus (HCV), HCV internal ribosome entry site (IRES)-targeting hammerhead ribozyme which activity is allosterically regulated by HCV regulatory protein, NS5B RNA replicase, was developed. The ribozyme targeted most effectively to +382 nucleotide (nt) site of HCV IRES RNA. The allosteric ribozyme was designed to be composed of sequence of RNA aptamer to HCV NS5B, communication module sequence which can transfer structural transition for inducing ribozyme activity upon binding NS5B to the aptamer, and sequence of ribozyme targeting +382 nt of HCV IRES. Noticeably, we employed in vitro selection technology to identify the most appropriate communication module sequence which can induce ribozyme activity depending on the US5B protein. We demonstrated that the ribozyme was nonfunctional either in the absence of any proteins or in the presence of control bovine serum albumin. In sharp contrast, the allosteric ribozyme can induce activity of cleavage reaction with HCV IRES RNA in the presence of the HCV NS5B protein. This allosteric ribozyme can be used as lead compound for specific and effective anti-HCV agent, tool for highthroughput screening to isolate lead chemicals for HCV therapeutics, and ligand for biosensor system for HCV diagnosis.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.49 no.1
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• pp.45-57
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• 2009

The molecular genetic characterization of Aujeszky's disease virus (ADV) Yangsan strain (ADVYS), a Korean isolate, was investigated by analyzing the electrophoresis patterns and the physical maps of the viral DNA digested with various endonucleases. To establish DNA library for ADV-YS, twelve major BamHI restricted segments were cloned. Each location of the segments in the ADV genome was determined by sequence comparison with the sequences reported in Genbank and those sequences of the both termini of the segments. Physical maps were constructed based on the electrophoresis patterns of the digested viral DNA by restriction endonuclease and the results of Southern blot analyses with various DIG labeled probes originated from those of enzyme restricted segments of virulent (Shope) and avirulent (Bartha) strain. Comparing ADV-YS with a standard strain of Kaplan in the maps of restriction enzymes, following major respects were identified: (i) disappearance of BamHI restriction site between the first and second BamHI segments, (ii) creation of the BamHI restriction site in the fifth segment, and (iii) generation of the BglII site in the unique short (US) region. The genome of ADV-YS also contains a type 2 herpesvirus DNA molecule (in which the US region only inverts itself relative to the unique longregion) like all other ADV strains except Norden strain(type3), analyzed up to date. The size of the ADV genome estimated from the sizes of the restriction enzyme fragments, was approximately 145.3 kb (BamHI) or 145.4 kb (BglII). BamHI enzyme cleavage patterns were compared among the five Korean ADV isolates: Yangsan, Yongin, Dangjin, Jincheon and Iksan strains. Difference either in the number or in the size of the DNA fragments, suspected regions of termini of IR and TR, could be detected among all five strains.