• Journal of Species Research
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.9-12
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• 2018

In 2016, as part of a larger effort to discover indigenous prokaryotic species in Korea, we isolated the family Deinococcaceae and Planctomycetaceae as unrecorded bacterial species. From the high 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity (>98.5%) and formation of a robust phylogenetic clade with known species, it was determined that each strain was a distinct bacterial species. There are no official reports that these two species have been described in Korea; therefore, the bacterial strains of Deinococcus and Blastopirellula are described for the first time in Korea. Gram reaction, colony and cell morphology, basic biochemical characteristics, and isolation sources are also described in the species description section.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.1-9
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• 2015

Environmental toxicants such as toxic metals can alter epigenetic regulatory features such as DNA methylation, histone modification, and non-coding RNA expression. Heavy metals influence gene expression by epigenetic mechanisms and by directly binding to various metal response elements in the target gene promoters. Given the role of epigenetic alterations in regulating genes, there is potential for the integration of toxic metal-induced epigenetic alterations as informative factors in the risk assessment process. Here, we focus on recent advances in understanding epigenetic changes, gene expression, and biological effects induced by toxic metals.

• Journal of Species Research
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• v.6 no.3
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• pp.214-223
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• 2017

As part of a larger study with the aim to discover indigenous prokaryotic species in Korea, nine bacterial strains were isolated and assigned to the phylum Proteobacteria in 2016. High 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity (>98.5%) and formation of a robust phylogenetic clades with known species indicated that each strain belongs to an independent and predefined bacterial species. This is the first report of these nine species in Korea: two strains of the Methylobacterium, two strains of the Microvirga, one strain of the Pantoea, and four strains of the Psychrobacter, all within the Proteobacteria. Gram reaction, colony and cell morphology, basic biochemical characteristics, and isolation sources are also described in the species description section.

• The Plant Pathology Journal
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.142-148
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• 2005

Whereas most of isolates of Cucumber mosaic virus(CMV) can induce green mosaic systemic symptoms on zucchini squash, foliar symptoms of a pepper isolate of CMV (Pf-CMV)-infected zucchini squash revealed systemic chlorotic spots. To assess this biological property, infectious full-length cDNA clones of Pf-CMV were constructed using long-template RT-PCR. The complete nucleotide sequences of RNA2 and RNA3 of Pf-CMV were determined from the infectious fulllength cDNA clones, respectively. RNA 2 and RNA3 of Pf-CMV contain 3,070 nucleotides and 2,213 nucleotides, respectively. Overall sequence homology of two RNAs revealed high similarity (90%) between CMV strains, and 60% similarity to those of Tomato aspermy virus and Peanut stunt virus strains. By sequence analysis with known representative strains of CMV, Pf- CMV belongs to a typical member of CMV subgroup IA. The virus has high evolutionary relationship with Fny-CMV, but the pathology of Pf-CMV in zucchini squash was quite different from that of Fny-CMV. The pesudorecombinant virus, F1P2P3, induced chlorotic spot leaf symptom and timing of systemic symptom in squash plants, similar to the plants infected by Pf-CMV. No systemic symptoms were observed when Pf-CMVinoculated cotyledons were removed at 5 days postinoculation (dpi) while Fny-CMV showed systemic symptom at 2 dpi. These results suggest that the pepper isolate of CMV possesses unique pathological properties distinguishable to other isolates of CMVs in zucchini squash.

• Environmental Mutagens and Carcinogens
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.45-50
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• 2003

Biological activities of PAHs are not known although PAHs are considered as carcinogens. Recent industrial society has human widely exposed to PAHs (polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons) that are comming from the incomplete combustion of organic material as wider spread environmental contaminants. Our laboratory have been studied the effect of PAHs in the human breast cancer MCF-7 cells. In this study, we examined the human breast cancer MCF-7 cells as a new system to evaluate bioactivity of PAHs. We have selected 13 PAHs to examine bioassay using CYP1A1-luciferase reporter gene expression system where CYP1A1 1.6 Kb 5flanking region DNA was cloned in front of luciferase reporter gene and this plasmid was transfected into MCF-7 cells transiently. This cells then used for the study to observe the effect of PAHs. We demonstrated that PAHs induced the CYP1A1 promoter, CYP1A1 mRNA and 7-ethoxyresolufin O-deethylase (EROD) activities in a concentration-dependant manner. None of PAHs that we have tested showed stronger stimulatory effect on CYP1 gene expression than TCDD. Benz(a)anthracene and benzo(b)fluoranthene were weak responders to CYP1A1 promoter activity stimulation, CYP1A1 mRNA and EROD induction in MCF-7 cells and these chemicals seemed to respond less either CYP1A1 mRNA or EROD than CYP1A1 promoter activity. Benzo(k)fluoranthene, chrysene, and dibenzo(a, h)anthracene showed strong response to CYP1A1 promoter activity stimulation, CYP1A1 mRNA increase and also EROD induction in MCF-7 cells. Results of dose response study suggested that two strong responding PAHs, such as benzo(k)fluoranthene and dibenzo(a, h)anthracene might be mediated through Aryl hydrocarbon receptors system in MCF-7 cells.

• Environmental Mutagens and Carcinogens
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.128-136
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• 2004

CYP1A1 is known to be inducible by xenobiotic compouds such as polyciclic aromatic hydrocarbons(PAHs) and 2,3,7,8-tetrachloro-dibenzo-p-dioxin(TCDD). These chemicals have been identified worldwide and can have a significant impact on the human health and well being of human and wildlife. Given these issues, the detection and quantification of these chemicals in biological, environmental and food samples is important. First, we investigated the effect of on CYP1A1 promoter activity, 7-ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase(EROD) activity and CYP1A1 mRNA expression induced by benzo(k)fluoranthene(B(k)F) in MCF-7 cells. We found that B(k)F significantly up-regulates the level of CYP1A1 prompter activity, EROD and CYP1A1 mRNA. When cells were treated with genistein, it was not changed that EROD and CYP1A1 mRNA, compared to that of control. However, genistein inhibited the B(k)F-induced CYP1A1 promoter activity and mRNA level at high concentration. Furthermore, in this study, effects of HDAC(histone deacetvlase) inhibitors on human prostate cancer cells proliferation were examined. HC-toxin, SAHA and TSA inhibited cell proliferation in PC3 cells. A novel HDAC inhibitor, IN2001 also suppressed the growth of PC3 cells. And IN2001 and SAHA increased S phase and G2/M phase at 12 hrs treatment but cells were arrested G0/G1 phase at 45 hrs treatment. The HC-toxin treatment for 24 hrs and 48 hrs increased G0/G1 at low concentration ($0.1\mu\textrm{m}$) but increased G2/M at more than concentration of $1\mu\textrm{m}$. TSA increased G2/M phase. These findings height the possbility of developing HDAC inhibitors as potential anticancer therapeutic agents for the treatment of prostate cancer.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.23 no.9
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• pp.1293-1303
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• 2013

Antibiotic resistance of soilborne Acinetobacter species has been poorly explored. In this study, norfloxacin resistance of a soil bacterium, Acinetobacter oleivorans DR1, was investigated. The frequencies of mutant appearance of all tested non-pathogenic Acinetobacter strains were lower than those of pathogenic strains under minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC). When the quinolone-resistance-determining region of the gyrA gene was examined, only one mutant (His78Asn) out of 10 resistant variants had a mutation. Whole transcriptome analysis using a RNA-Seq demonstrated that genes involved in SOS response and DNA repair were significantly up-regulated by norfloxacin. Determining the MICs of survival cells after norfloxacin treatment confirmed some of those cells were indeed persister cells. Ten colonies, randomly selected from among those that survived in the presence of norfloxacin, did not exhibit increased MIC. Thus, both the low mutation frequency of the target gene and SOS response under norfloxacin suggested that persister formation might contribute to the resistance of DR1 against norfloxacin. The persister frequency increased without a change in MIC when stationary phase cells, low growth rates conditions, and growth-deficient dnaJ mutant were used. Taken together, our comprehensive approach, which included mutational analysis of the target gene, persister formation assays, and RNA sequencing, indicated that DR1 survival when exposed to norfloxacin is related not only to target gene mutation but also to persister formation, possibly through up-regulation of the SOS response and DNA repair genes.

• Ocean and Polar Research
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.309-319
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• 2010

To assess community structure and diversity of archaea, a clone sequencing analysis based on an archaeal 16S rRNA gene was conducted at three sediment depths of the continental slope and Ulleung Basin in the East Sea. A total of 311 and 342 clones were sequenced at the slope and basin sites, respectively. Marine Group I, which is known as the ammonia oxidizers, appeared to predominate in the surface sediment of both sites (97.3% at slope, 88.5% at basin). In the anoxic subsurface sediment of the slope and basin, the predominant archaeal group differed noticeably. Marine Benthic Group B dominated in the subsurface sediment of the slope. Marine Benthic Group D and Miscellaneous Crenarchaeotal Group were the second largest archaeal group at 8-9 cm and 18-19 cm depth, respectively. Marine Benthic Group C of Crenarchaeota occupied the highest proportion by accounting for more than 60% of total clones in the subsurface sediments of the basin site. While archaeal groups that use metal oxide as an electron acceptor were relatively more abundant at the basin sites with manganese (Mn) oxide-enriched surface sediment, archaeal groups related to the sulfur cycle were more abundant in the sulfidogenic sediments of the slope. Overall results indicate that archaeal communities in the Ulleung Basin show clear spatial variation with depth and sites according to geochemical properties the sediment. Archaeal communities also seem to play a significant role in the biogeochemical carbon (C), nitrogen (N), sulfur (S), and metal cycles at each site.

• Environmental Mutagens and Carcinogens
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.180-188
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• 2004

CYP1A1 is known to be inducible by xenobiotic compouds such as polyciclic aromatic hydrocarbons(PAHs) and 2,3,7,8-tetrachloro-dibenzo-p-dioxin(TCDD). These chemicals have been identified worldwide and can have a significant impact on the human health and well being of human and wildlife. Given these issues, the detection and quantification of these chemicals in biological, environmental and food samples is important. We investigated the effect of dietaty flavonoid, such as CYP1A1 promoter activity, 7-ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase(EROD) activity and CYP1A1 mRNA expression induced by benzo(k)fluoranthene(B(k)F) in MCF-7 cells. Based on the three criteria of frequency of occurrence in the environment, toxicity and potential exposure to humans, B(k)F is one of the top-listed PAHs. We found that B(k)F significantly up-regulates the level of CYP1A1 promoter activity, EROD and CYP1A1 mRNA. when cells were treated with daidzein inhibited the B(k)-induced CYP1A1 prompter activity and mRNA level at high concentration. But daidzein exhibited stimulatory effects B(k)F-induced CYP1A1 promoter activity and mRNA level at low concentration. Overall, results from these studies demonstrate flavonoids might interfere the action of B(k) with AhR system to stimulate CYP1A1 gene expression.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.450-458
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• 2015

The heat shock proteins (Hsps), one of the most highly conserved groups of proteins, play crucial roles in protecting cells against environmental stressors, such as temperature, salinity, heavy metals and pathogenic bacteria. The glutathione S-transferases (GST) have important role in detoxification of oxidative damage, environmental chemicals and environmental stress. The purpose of this study is to investigate the gene expression of Hsp70 and GST on change of temperature and salinity in Mytilus coruscus. The M. coruscus was cultured in incubator of separate temperature and salinity (8, 20, $30^{\circ}C{\times}20$‰, 25‰, 30‰) for 28 days. Ten individuals in each group were selected after each 14 and 28 days exposure. Results that the expression of Hsp70 mRNA was no significant changed in M. coruscus exposed to temperature ($8^{\circ}C$, $20^{\circ}C$, $30^{\circ}C$) and salinity (20‰, 25‰, 30‰) for 14 days. Whereas the expression of Hsp70 mRNA was increased in exposure to temperature $30^{\circ}C$ and salinity (20‰, 25‰, 30‰) for 28 days. The expression of GST mRNA was increased in exposure to temperature $30^{\circ}C$, salinity (25‰, 30‰) for 14 days and temperature ($8^{\circ}C$, $20^{\circ}C$, $30^{\circ}C$), salinity (20‰, 25‰, 30‰) for 28 days. These results suggest that Hsp70 and GST were played roles in biomarker gene on the thermal and salinity stress.