• Current Research on Agriculture and Life Sciences
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• 제30권2호
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• pp.115-123
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• 2012

Whiteflies harbor several secondary endosymbionts, which are maternally inherited from mother to offspring, that have major effects on host preferences, biology, and evolution. Here, we identified Wolbachia bacteria in sweetpotato whitefly (Bemisia tabaci) as well as whitefly popluations from other countries by comparison of 16S rDNA sequences. Wolbachia were detected in all tested indigenous B. tabaci populations (Bangladesh, Myanmar, Nepal, and the Philippines) as well as Q1 biotype of Korea, whereas they were absent from B biotype of Korea and Q biotype of China. Wolbachia were also detected in all five tested Aleurodicus dispersus populations as well as Tetraleurodes acaciae, whereas they were not detected in all seven Trialeurodes vaporariorum populatuions. In addiiton, Wolbachia were detected in parasitic wasp (Encarsia formosa) of B. tabaci as well as honeybee (Apis mellifera). Among the 19 whitefly populations from different countries, our analysis identified four phylogenetic groups of Wolbachia, thereby demonstrating the high diversity of this genus. Wolbachia phylogeny suggests a correlation of geographical range with ecological variation at the species level.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• 제54권3호
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• pp.273-280
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• 2016

We evaluated the activity of methanolic extracts of Melaleuca cajuputi flowers against the filarial worm Brugia pahangi and its bacterial endosymbiont Wolbachia. Anti-Wolbachia activity was measured in worms and in Aedes albopictus Aa23 cells by PCR, electron microscopy, and other biological assays. In particular, microfilarial release, worm motility, and viability were determined. M. cajuputi flower extracts were found to significantly reduce Wolbachia endosymbionts in Aa23 cells, Wolbachia surface protein, and microfilarial release, as well as the viability and motility of adult worms. Anti-Wolbachia activity was further confirmed by observation of degraded and phagocytized Wolbachia in worms treated with the flower extracts. The data provided in vitro and in vivo evidence that M. cajuputi flower extracts inhibit Wolbachia, an activity that may be exploited as an alternative strategy to treat human lymphatic filariasis.

• 미생물학회지
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• 제30권6호
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• pp.450-455
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• 1992

대전 지역에서 자생하는 벌노랑이 (Lotus corniculatus var. japonicus) 의 뿌리혹으로부터 생장속도가 빠른 (fast-growing) 5균주를 분리하였다. 분리된 공생균주들은 형태적, 생리적 특성 및 뿌리혹형성 실험을 통하여 이 균주들은 Rhizobium loti 로 동정되었다. 분리균주로 접종시킨 벌노랑이 유식물에서 뿌리혹을 형성하였으며, 대조구와 비교하였을 때 정상적인 성장을 하는 것으로 보아 질소고정능을 갖는 (effect) 뿌리혹을 형성함을 알 수 있었다. 유도된 뿌리혹으로부터 재분리된 공생균주의 형태절 특성 및 항생제 내성에 대한 조사로부터 이들 뿌리혹은 1차 분리균주에 의해 형성된 것임을 알 수 있었다. 또한 이들은 Lotus corniculatus 에서도 질소고정능을 갖는 뿌리혹을 형성하였다. 분리균주 중 R. loti TUS2, TUS5 그리고 TUS8 은 calcofluor-binding exopolysaccharide(EPS) 를 생성하였다.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• 제43권4호
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• pp.421-426
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• 2019

Background: Wolbachia are among the most prevalent endosymbiotic bacteria and induce reproductive anomalies in various invertebrate taxa. The bacterium has huge impacts on host reproductive biology, immunity, evolution, and molecular machinery. However, broad-scale surveys of Wolbachia infections at the order scale, including the order Coleoptera, are limited. In this study, we investigated the Wolbachia infection frequency in 201 Coleopteran insects collected in Korea. Results: A total of 26 species (12.8%) belonging to 11 families harbored Wolbachia. The phylogenetic trees of based on partial 16S rRNA gene sequences and partial Wolbachia surface protein (wsp) gene sequences were largely incongruent to that of their hosts. This result confirms that Wolbachia evolved independently from their hosts, Conclusion: Phylogenetic trees suggest that complex horizontal gene transfer and recombination events occurred within and between divergent Wolbachia subgroups.

• Journal of Species Research
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• 제13권1호
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• pp.89-99
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• 2024

Larger benthic foraminifera (LBF) are a group of marine organisms that inhabit oligotrophic subtropicaltropical photic zones, commonly possess relatively large shells (i.e., tests) with a complex internal structure and host photosynthetic endosymbionts. In this study, we provide a new report of a LBF species belonging to the genus Sorites Ehrenberg, 1839, with a brief description and images of the test. The sediment samples were collected by SCUBA diving from the east coast of Jeju Island (South Korea). The discoidal test shape and annular series of chamberlets with a single row of apertures surrounded by rim indicate that these specimens belong to the genus Sorites, and this is the first record of the genus in Korea. The arrangement of early chamberlets, septular disposition, and the aperture details suggest that the specimens can be assigned to Sorites orbiculus(Forsskål in Niebuhr, 1775). Only three LBF species, including the present species, have been reported from Korean waters. The present study provides additional information for the evaluation of foraminiferal diversity including LBF in Korea and suggests the necessity of continuous investigations to understand the diversity of Sorites species in Korea.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• 제45권1호
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• pp.11-18
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• 2007

Recent in vitro studies have revealed that a certain Mycobacterium can survive and multiply within free-living amoebae. It is believed that protozoans function as host cells for the intracellular replication and evasion of Mycobacterium spp. under harmful conditions. In this study, we describe the isolation and characterization of a bacterium naturally observed within an amoeba isolate acquired from a contact lens storage case. The bacterium multi-plied within Acanthamoeba, but exerted no cytopathic effects on the amoeba during a 6-year amoebic culture. Trasnmission electron microscopy showed that the bacteria were randomly distributed within the cytoplasm of trophozoites and cysts of Acanthamoeba. On the basis of the results of 18S rRNA gene analysis, the amoeba was identified as A. lugdunensis. A 16S rRNA gene analysis placed this bacterium within the genus Mycobacterium. The bacterium evidenced positive reactivity for acid-fast and fluorescent acid-fast stains. The bacterium was capable of growth on the Middlebrook 7H11-Mycobacterium-specific agar. The identification and characterization of bacterial endosymbionts of free-living protozoa bears significant implications for our understanding of the ecology and the identification of other atypical mycobacterial pathogens.

• Journal of the Korean Wood Science and Technology
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• 제46권6호
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• pp.713-725
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• 2018

Lower termites require symbiotic microbes in their gut. The microbial communities in the termites must adapt to the termite temperature. Reticulitermes speratus KMT001 from Bukhan Mountain in Seoul may require a special symbiotic microorganisms for growth in low temperature Korean habitat. A metagenomics analysis showed a dramatic change in the symbiotic bacterial flora in the gut of R. speratus KMT001 in response to low temperatures of $4^{\circ}C$ or $10^{\circ}C$. Elusimicrobia, which are endosymbionts of flagellate protists, is the dominant phylum in the termite gut at ${\geq}15^{\circ}C$ but its population decreased drastically at low temperature. Four representative bacterial strains isolated from R. speratus KMT001 in a previous study produced maximum ${\beta}$-glucosidase levels within the temperature range of $10^{\circ}C-30^{\circ}C$. Elizabethkingia sp. BM10 produced ${\beta}$-glucosidase specifically at $10^{\circ}C$. This strain supported the existence of symbiotic bacteria for the low temperature habitat of the termite. This identified bacterium will be a resource for studying low temperature adaptation of termites, studying the gene expression at low temperatures, and developing an industrial cellulase at low temperature.

• 한국응용곤충학회지
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• 제39권3호
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• pp.193-197
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• 2000

Wolbachia는 몇몇 곤충류에 공생하는 세포내 공생세균으로서 수직 감염되며, 숙주의 세포질 불화합성, 단위생식, 자성화 등을 유도한다. 현재까지 알려진 Wolbachia는 비병원성이지만 돌연변이인 popcorn은 숙주인 초파리(Drosophila melanogaster)에 수직 감염되어 성충의 조직괴사와 조기 사망 등의 병원성을 나타낸다. Popcorn에 감염된 초파리는 알과 유충 발육기간이 연장되고, 번데기 기간은 단축되는 경향을 보이며, 성충의 수명이 단축되었다. 또한 비병원성 Wolbachia에 감염된 경우보다 산란율은 15%, 부화율은 80% 수준으로 감소하였고, 용화율은 67%, 우화율은 65%에 불과하였다. Popcorn과 비병원성 Wolbachia간의 교배에서 감염된 초파리는 모두 산란수의 감소와 차세대 부화율, 용화율, 우화율 등의 감소를 초래하였으며, popcorn에 감염된 초파리의 특성을 나타냈다. Wolbachia에 감염되지 않은 초파리와의 교배에서 popcorn 감염 초파리가 수컷인 경우 Wolbachia가 검출되지는 않았다. 따라서 popcorn은 초파리에서 모체 전염되지만, 세포질 분화합성은 유도하지 않으며, 초파리의 초기발육의 지연, 생식의 저하, 성충수명의 단축을 야기하는 등 병원성을 나타냈다.

• Journal of Veterinary Science
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• 제22권3호
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• pp.37.1-37.14
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• 2021

Background: Ticks are one of the most common external parasites in dogs, and are associated with the transmission of a number of major zoonoses, which result in serious harm to human health and even death. Also, the increasing number of pet dogs and pet owners in China has caused concern regarding human tick-borne illnesses. Accordingly, studies are needed to gain a complete understanding of the bacterial composition and diversity of the ticks that parasitize dogs. Objectives: To date, there have been relatively few reports on the analysis of the bacterial community structure and diversity in ticks that parasitize dogs. The objective of this study was to investigate the microbial composition and diversity of parasitic ticks of dogs, and assessed the effect of tick sex and geographical region on the bacterial composition in two tick genera collected from dogs in China. Methods: A total of 178 whole ticks were subjected to a 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) next generation sequencing analysis. The Illumina MiSeq platform targeting the V3-V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene was used to characterize the bacterial communities of the collected ticks. Sequence analysis and taxonomic assignment were performed using QIIME 2 and the GreenGene database, respectively. After clustering the sequences into taxonomic units, the sequences were quality-filtered and rarefied. Results: After pooling 24 tick samples, we identified a total of 2,081 operational taxonomic units, which were assigned to 23 phyla and 328 genera, revealing a diverse bacterial community profile. The high, moderate and low prevalent taxa include 46, 101, and 182 genera, respectively. Among them, dominant taxa include environmental bacterial genera, such as Psychrobacter and Burkholderia. Additionally, some known tick-associated endosymbionts were also detected, including Coxiella, Rickettsia, and Ricketssiella. Also, the potentially pathogenic genera Staphylococcus and Pseudomonas were detected in the tick pools. Moreover, our preliminary study found that the differences in microbial communities are more dependent on the sampling location than tick sex in the tick specimens collected from dogs. Conclusions: The findings of this study support the need for future research on the microbial population present in ticks collected from dogs in China.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• 제58권5호
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• pp.537-542
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• 2020

Cockroaches inhabit various habitats, which will influence their microbiome. Although the microbiome can be influenced by the diet and environmental factors, it can also differ between species. Therefore, we conducted 16S rDNA-targeted high-throughput sequencing to evaluate the overall bacterial composition of the microbiomes of 3 cockroach species, Periplaneta americana, P. japonica, and P. fuliginosa, raised in laboratory for several generations under the same conditions. The experiments were conducted using male adult cockroaches. The number of operational taxonomic units (OTUs) was not significantly different among the 3 species. With regard to the Shannon and Pielou indexes, higher microbiome values were noted in P. americana than in P. japonica and P. fuliginosa. Microbiome composition was also evaluated, with endosymbionts accounting for over half of all OTUs in P. japonica and P. fuliginosa. Beta diversity analysis further showed that P. japonica and P. fuliginosa had similar microbiome composition, which differed from that of P. americana. However, we also identified that P. japonica and P. fuliginosa host distinct OTUs. Thus, although microbiome compositions may vary based on multiple conditions, it is possible to identify distinct microbiome compositions among different Periplaneta cockroach species, even when the individuals are reared under the same conditions.