• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.367-373
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• 2014

In this study, we investigated the anticancer activity of methyl gallate (MG), which is the major biologically active component of Galla Rhois, in RC-58T/h/SA#4 human prostate cancer cells. MG inhibited cell proliferation in a dose-dependent manner. Cell death induced by MG increased the population of cells in sub-G1 phase, formation of apoptotic bodies, nuclear condensation, and DNA fragmentation. Apoptosis induced by MG was associated with activation of initiator caspases-8 and -9 as well as effector caspase-3. Endocrine disruptors such as dioxin and bisphenol A increased growth of RC-58T/h/SA#4 cells in charcoal-treated FBS (cFBS) medium. Cell proliferation was highest upon treatment with 1 nM and $0.1{\mu}M$ dioxin and bisphenol A, respectively. MG also dose-dependently inhibited cell proliferation in RC-58T/h/SA#4 cells treated with endocrine disruptors. These results indicate that MG exerts anticancer effects on RC-58T/h/SA#4 primary human prostate cancer cells.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.51 no.3
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• pp.363-367
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• 2013

The prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection in birds has epidemiological significance because birds are indeed considered as a good indicator of environmental contamination by T. gondii oocysts. In this study, the prevalence of T. gondii in 313 house sparrows in Lanzhou, northwestern China was assayed by the modified agglutination test (MAT). Antibodies to T. gondii were positive in 39 (12.46%) of 313 samples (MAT titer ${\geq}$ 1:5). Tissues of heart, brain, and lung from the 39 seropositive house sparrows were tested for T. gondii DNA, 11 of which were found to be positive for the T. gondii B1 gene by PCR amplification. These positive DNA samples were typed at 9 genetic markers, including 8 nuclear loci, i.e., SAG1, 5'- and 3'-SAG2, alternative SAG2, SAG3, GRA6, L358, PK1, c22-8 and an apicoplast locus Apico. Of them, 4 isolates were genotyped with complete data for all loci, and 2 genotypes (Type II variants; ToxoDB #3 and a new genotype) were identified. These results showed that there is a potential risk for human infection with T. gondii in this region. To our knowledge, this is the first report of T. gondii seroprevalence in house sparrows in China.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.85-92
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• 2002

This study has been focused on improving transformation efficiency of rice using Agrobacterium tumefaciens. We have demonstrated the effect of this system when the GPAT gene related to the cold-resistance was transferred by Agrobacterium tumefaciens in rice. Transformation conditions were modified using intron $\beta$-glucuronidase (GUS) expression as a reporter gene in the rice. In this study, mature seed-derived calli of rice (Oruza sativa L. cv. Dongjin) were pre-cultured for 3 days and then infected with Agrobacterium. When this infected calli were cultured in the dark for 10 days on co-cu]lure medium containing 50 mg/L of CaCl$_2$, 30 mg/L of acetosyringone, 2 mg/L of 2,4-D, 120 mg/L of betaine, high GUS expression was observed. In the present transformation system, the efficiency of transformation of GPAT gene was about 54%. Stable integration of GPAT gene into chromosomal DNA was proven by southern blot analysis of genomic DNA isolated from T$_{0}$ progenies. The progenies (T1 generation) derived from primary transformant of 5 lines were segregated with a 3 (resistant) : 1 (sensitive ratio) in medium containing hygromycin. This high frequency transformation system can be used as a useful tool in transformation of another monocotyledon.n.

• Research in Plant Disease
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.165-169
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• 2009

Twelve Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) isolates were isolated from genetically modified (GM) and non-GM Capsicum annuum in two GM fields, Namyangju and Anseong, and their properties were investigated in this study. Coat protein (CP) gene of the CMV isolates were synthesized by RT-PCR using genus-specific primers which designed to amplify a DNA fragment of 950 bp. Purified cDNA fragments were cloned into the pGEMT easy vector for sequence determination. Nucleotide sequences (internal 657 bp) of CMV isolates were compared with Fny-CMV CP sequences and there were no significant collection site specific sequence similarities found. When predicted amino acid sequences (219 amino acids) were compared with Fny-CMV CP amino acids sequences, there were 96.8% to 97.3% similarities found from Namyangju collections and 95.9% to 96.8% similarities from Anseong collections. The phylogenetic analysis with nucleotide sequences showed definite differences in CMVs which have been isolated from the two regions.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.38 no.2 s.112
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• pp.137-145
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• 2005

Traditional screening techniques have missed up to 99% of microbial resources existing in the nature. Strategies of direct cloning of environmental DNAs comprising tine genetic blueprints of entire microbial metagenomes provide vastly more genetic information than is contained in the culturable. Therefore, one way to screening the useful gene in a variety of environments is the construction of metagenomic DNA library. In this study, the water samples were collected from Daecheong Reservoir in the mid Korea, and analyzed by T-RFLP to examine the diversity of the microbial communities. The crude DNAs were extracted by SDS-based freezing-thawing method and then further purified using an $UltraClean^{TM}kit$ (MoBio, USA). The metagenomic libraries were constructed with the DNAs partially digested with EcoRI, BamHI, and SacII in Escherichia coli DH10B using the pBACe3.6 vector. About 14.0 Mb of metagenomic libraries were obtained with average inserts 13 ${\sim}$ 15 kb in size. The genes responsible for degradation of 1, 2-dichloroethane (1, 2-DCE) via hydrolytic dehalogenation were identified from the metagenomic libraries by colony hybridization. The 1, 2-dichloroethane dehalogenase gene (dhlA) was cloned and its nucleotide sequence was analyzed. The activity of the 1, 2-DCE dehalogenase was highly expressed to the substrate. These results indicated that the dhlA gene identified from the metagenomes derived from Deacheong Reservoir might be useful to develop a potent strain for degradation of 1, 2-DCE.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.81-87
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• 2016

Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is produced by Aspergillus flavus growing in feedstuffs. Early detection of maize contamination by aflatoxigenic fungi is advantageous since aflatoxins exert adverse health effects. In this study, we report the development of an optimized conventional PCR for AFB1 detection and a rapid, sensitive and simple screening Real-time PCR (qPCR) with SYBR Green and two pairs of primers targeting the aflR genes which involved aflatoxin biosynthesis. AFB1 contaminated maize samples were divided into three groups by the toxin concentration. Genomic DNA was extracted from those samples. The target genes for A. flavus were tested by conventional PCR and the PCR products were analyzed by electrophoresis. A conventional PCR was carried out as nested PCR to verify the gene amplicon sizes. PCR-RFLP patterns, obtained with Hinc II and Pvu II enzyme analysis showed the differences to distinguish aflatoxin-producing fungi. However, they are not quantitative and need a separation of the products on gel and their visualization under UV light. On the other hand, qPCR facilitates the monitoring of the reaction as it progresses. It does not require post-PCR handling, which reduces the risk of cross-contamination and handling errors. It results in a much faster throughout. We found that the optimal primer annealing temperature was $65^{\circ}C$. The optimized template and primer concentration were $1.5{\mu}L\;(50ng/{\mu}L)$ and $3{\mu}L\;(10{\mu}M/{\mu}L)$ respectively. SYBR Green qPCR of four genes demonstrated amplification curves and melting peaks for tub1, afIM, afIR, and afID genes are at $88.0^{\circ}C$, $87.5^{\circ}C$, $83.5^{\circ}C$, and $89.5^{\circ}C$ respectively. Consequently, it was found that the four primers had elevated annealing temperatures, nevertheless it is desirable since it enhances the DNA binding specificity of the dye. New qPCR protocol could be employed for the determination of aflatoxin content in feedstuff samples.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.286-291
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• 1993

The $Km^{r}$ gene and plasmid of natural isolate and genetically modified microorganisms (GMM) rearranged by conjugation in water environments were comparatively analyzed by agarose gel electrophoresis and Southern analysis. The transfer rates of the $Km^{r}$ gene from GMM strains were generally 100 times higher than thosc of natural iso]ate(DKI) under laboratory cnvironments, but their transfer rate was not much different in Moosimcheon River water. The conjugants obtained in LB(Luria-Bertani broth) and FW(filtered river water) water under laboratory conditions showed same number of the plasmids. but the sizes of the plasmids were changed. The $Km^{r}$ gene in the conjugants was found in the same position as the pDKJO] $Km^{r}$ plasmid. In case of the GMM strains as donor. the large plasmids of 180 kb appeared in conjugants obtained in LB and FW water. Especially, the $Km^{r}$ gene in the donor of DKC600 was found to be inserted into chromosome of the conjugant obtained in FW water. However. in the conjugants obtained from DKl and DKB 701 in Moosimcheon River water, the plasmids were rearranged by 4 and 8. respectively, and all of them showed hybridization by the $Km^{r}$ probe. But the small plasmids of the recipient disappeared in the conjugant from DKC600 as donor, and the rearranged plasm ids and chromosome in the conjugants were observed to be hybridized with the $Km^{r}$ probe. Therefore, rearrangement of $Km^{r}$ gene and plasmids by conjugation was found to be afTected diversely by cellular characteristics as well as by environmental factors.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.139-145
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• 1999

Aromatic hydrocarbons which are not easily degraded by microorganisms can be accumulated in the conlaminated environment for a long lime, producing toxic effects on wild lives and humans. However, the sublethal concentrations of the chemicals induce the synthesis of stress-shock proteins in the cells and increase the adaptability of the organisms to the environmental stresses. In this study, therefore, the cells of Psezido~nonus sp. DJ- 12 treated with catechol at various concentrations were inveshgated for their survival, biodegtadability of catechol, production of stress-shock proteins, and cytological changes. The organisms were capable of degrading catechol at the range of 0.5 to 1.0 mM concentration wilhin 6 hours incubation, but they were killed by $10^2$-10$^3$ celllinl at 3 mM or higel- concentration without any catechol degradation. These cells treated with catechol begm lo produce DnaK and GroEL at 1 mM and 0.5 mM. respectively. Pseudumonas sp. DJ-12 treated with 10 mM catechol for I hour exhihiled some punctuated pores on the cell wall and contortion of the rod shape. The cells treated with he sublethal concentration of catechol showed the increased tolerance for suvival when exposed to the lethal concentration, and such tolerant effects were functioned crossly among benzoate, 4-chlorobenzoate, 'and catechol.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.50 no.6
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• pp.453-456
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• 2005

This study was carried out to select DNA markers closely linked to brown planthopper (BPH) resistance gene originated from a rice cultivar 'Cheongcheong­byeo'. For the mapping of resistant gene to BPH, a doubled-haploid (DH) population was developed by anther culture of $F_1$ plants from a cross 'Cheongcheong­byeo/Nagdongbyeo'. In BPH bioassay and marker screen­ing for the DH population, the segregation of resistant and susceptible plants to BPH fitted to a 1:1 ratio. A total of 310 RAPDs of 520 markers showed polymorphism in parental survey using 'Cheongcheongbyeo' and 'Nag­dongbyeo'. In the analysis of relationship between BPH resistance and marker pattern for 40 DH lines, the OPE16 produced a specific dominant fragment, 700 bp, which was closely linked with BPH resistance gene of 'Cheong­cheongbyeo'. Based on the linkage analysis using 7 markers, BPH resistance of 'Cheongcheongbyeo' was mapped on chromosome 12, which was closely linked with $OPE16_{700}$ at a distance of 4.6 cM.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.20 no.5
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• pp.705-711
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• 2013

Gamma amino butyric acid (GABA), known as a non-protein amino acid and major inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain, has several functional properties such as neurotransmission, induction of hypotension, tranquilizer, and diuretic effects. The purpose of this study was to isolate and identify lactic acid bacteria, producing high GABA in fermented soy curd. Thirty-two strains of tofu-forming lactic acid bacteria were isolated from kimchi which a traditional Korean food fermented with many kind of microorganism. Among 32 strains, four strains (strain No. 10, 104, 214, 249) formed firm soycurd. In order to select lactic acid bacteria having high GABA producing potential, the isolated strains were cultured in the soymilk and fermented for 48 hr at $37^{\circ}C$. A strain No. 383, which showed highest GABA contents in fermented soycurd, was identified as L. sakei by 16S rDNA sequencing and API analysis, and named as L. sakei 383. L. sakei 383 showed optimal growth up to 24 hr at $35^{\circ}C$ in MRS broth. The optimal time and temperature for GABA production were 18 hr and $35^{\circ}C$ in soymilk. In the optimal condition time and temperature, GABA content of fermented soycurd by L. sakei 383 was 8.65 mg/100 g.