• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• v.48 no.1
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• pp.34-43
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• 2021

Targeted genome editing using the CRISPR/Cas9 system is a ground-breaking technology that is being widely used to produce plants with useful traits. However, for woody plants, only a few successful attempts have been reported. These successes have used Agrobacterium-mediated transformation, which has been reported to be very efficient at producing genetically modified trees. Nonetheless, there are unresolved problems with plasmid sequences that remain in the plant genome. In this study, we demonstrated a DNA-free genome editing technique in which purified CRISPR/Cas9 ribonucleoproteins (RNPs) are delivered directly to the protoplasts of a hybrid poplar (Populus alba × Populus glandulosa). We designed three single-guide RNAs (sgRNAs) to target the stress-associated protein 1 gene (PagSAP1) in the hybrid poplar. Deep sequencing results showed that pre-assembled RNPs had a more efficient target mutagenesis insertion and deletion (indel) frequency than did non-assembled RNPs. Moreover, the RNP of sgRNA3 had a significantly higher editing efficacy than those of sgRNA1 and sgRNA2. Our results suggest that the CRISPR/Cas9 ribonucleoprotein-mediated transfection approach is useful for the production of transgene-free genome-edited tree plants.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.32 no.6
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• pp.463-467
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• 2022

As a result of applying the COG (Cluster of Orthologous Groups of Protein) algorithm to 1,309 species to confirm the conserved genes of prokaryotes, ribosomal protein S11 (COG0100) was identified. The numbers of conservative genes were 2, 5, 5, and 6 in 1,308, 1,307, 1,306, and 1,305 species, respectively. Twenty-nine genes were conserved in over 1,302 species, and they encoded 23 ribosomal proteins, 3 tRNA synthetases, 2 translation factors, and 1 RNA polymerase subunit. Most of them were related to protein production, suggesting the importance of protein expression in prokaryotes. The highest conservative COG was COG0048 (ribosomal protein S12) among the 29 COGs. The 29 conserved genes usually have one protein for each prokaryote. COG0090 (ribosomal protein L2) had not only the lowest conservation value but also the largest standard deviation of phylogenetic distance value. As COG0090 is not only a member of the ribosome, but also a regulator of replication and transcription, it could be inferred that prokaryotes have large variations in COG0090 to survive in various environments. This study could provide data necessary for basic science, tumor control, and development of antibacterial agents.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.33 no.8
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• pp.612-622
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• 2023

T-cell deficiency may occur in various clinical conditions including congenital defects, cell/organ transplantation, HIV infection and aging. In this regard, the development of artificial thymus has recently been attracting much attention. To achieve this aim, the development of techniques for 3D culture of thymic stromal cells is necessary because thymocytes grown only in a 3D thymic microenvironment can be differentiated fully to become mature, immunocompetent T cells; the same cannot be achieved for thymocytes grown in 2D. This study aimed to develop a nanotechnology-based 3D culture technique using polymeric scaffolds for thymic epithelial cells (TECs), the main component of thymic stromal cells. Scanning electron microscopic observation revealed that the pores of both PCL and PCL/PLGA scaffolds were filled with TECs. Interestingly, TECs grown in 3D on polydopamine-coated scaffolds exhibited enhanced cell attachment and proliferation compared to those grown on non-coated scaffolds. In addition, the gene expression of thymopoietic factors was upregulated in TECs cultured in 3D on polydopamine-coated scaffolds compared to those cultured in 2D. Taken together, the results of the present study demonstrate an efficient 3D culture model for TECs using polymeric scaffolds and provide new insights into a novel platform technology that can be applied to develop functional, biocompatible scaffolds for the 3D culture of thymocytes. This will eventually shed light on techniques for the in vitro development of T cells as well as the synthesis of artificial thymus.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Crop Science Conference
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• 2022.10a
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• pp.207-207
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• 2022

Eating and cooking quality (ECQ) is one of the most complex quantitative traits in rice. The understanding of genetic regulation of transcript expression levels attributing to phenotypic variation in ECQ traits is limited. We integrated whole-genome resequencing, transcriptome, and phenotypic variation data from 84 Japonica accessions to build a transcriptome-wide association study (TWAS) based regulatory network. All ECQ traits showed a large phenotypic variation and significant phenotypic correlations among the traits. TWAS analysis identified a total of 285 transcripts significantly associated with six ECQ traits. Genome-wide mapping of ECQ-associated transcripts revealed 66,905 quantitative expression traits (eQTLs), including 21,747 local eQTLs, and 45,158 trans-eQTLs, regulating the expression of 43 genes. The starch synthesis-related genes (SSRGs), starch synthase IV-1 (SSIV-1), starch branching enzyme 1 (SBE1), granule-bound starch synthase 2 (GBSS2), and ADP-glucose pyrophosphorylase small subunit 2a (OsAGPS2a) were found to have eQTLs regulating the expression of ECQ associated transcripts. Further, in co-expression analysis, 130 genes produced at least one network with 22 master regulators. In addition, we developed CRISPR/Cas9-edited glbl mutant lines that confirmed the role of alpha-globulin (glbl) in starch synthesis to validate the co-expression analysis. This study provided novel insights into the genetic regulation of ECQ traits, and transcripts associated with these traits were discovered that could be used in further rice breeding.

• The Plant Pathology Journal
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.48-58
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• 2024

The oldest and most extensively cultivated form of millet, known as pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br. Syn. Pennisetum americanum (L.) Leeke), is raised over 312.00 lakh hectares in Asian and African countries. India is regarded as the significant hotspot for pearl millet diversity. In the Indian state of Haryana, where pearl millet is grown, a new and catastrophic bacterial disease known as stem rot of pearl millet spurred by the bacterium Klebsiella aerogenes (formerly Enterobacter) was first observed during fall 2018. The disease appears in form of small to long streaks on leaves, lesions on stem, and slimy rot appearance of stem. The associated bacterium showed close resemblance to Klebsiella aerogenes that was confirmed by a molecular evaluation based on 16S rDNA and gyrA gene nucleotide sequences. The isolates were also identified to be Klebsiella aerogenes based on biochemical assays, where Klebsiella isolates differed in D-trehalose and succinate alkalisation tests. During fall 2021-2023, the disease has spread all the pearl millet-growing districts of the state, extending up to 70% disease incidence in the affected fields. The disease is causing considering grain as well as fodder losses. The proposed scale, consisting of six levels (0-5), is developed where scores 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 have been categorized as highly resistant, resistant, moderately resistant, moderately susceptible, susceptible, and highly susceptible disease reaction, respectively. The disease cycle, survival of pathogen, and possible losses have also been studied to understand other features of the disease.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.40 no.6
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• pp.1454-1463
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• 2023

Evaluating the antioxidant efficacy using Potentillae Chinensis Herba extract, the anti-inflammatory efficacy was tested in respiratory mucosal epithelium, RAW264.7 cells, and zebrafish. As a result, antioxidant activity increased in a concentration-dependent manner in DPPH free radical scavenging and ABTS+ cation radical activities. As a result of MTT assay for cell experiments, the survival rate of NCI-H292 cells was reduced to less than 70% when treated at each concentration of 100 ㎍/ml, subsequent experiments were conducted at 50 ㎍/ml. Anti-inflammatory efficacy evaluation, NO production, TNF-𝛼, IL-1𝛽, and PGE₂ decreased, and COX-2 also decreased significantly at 50 ㎍/ml. The mucin protein expression of Potentillae Chinensis Herba extract and bioconverted extract, it was observed that MUC5AC expression was significantly reduced. In the zebrafish toxicity evaluation, concentrations below 50 ㎍/ml did not show embryotoxicity and showed anti-inflammatory efficacy by reducing NO production due to LPS. The above results are valid to be valuable for use as a functional material that suppresses inflammation by helping the expression of Potentillae Chinensis Herba's respiratory mucus proteins.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Crop Science Conference
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• 2017.06a
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• pp.191-191
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• 2017

Hydroxy fatty acid (HFA) is an important industrial resource that known to be extracted from seeds of Castor or Lesquerella. However, mass production of HFA from those crops are difficult because of their behavior or life cycle. In this study, we applied HFA synthesis related gene FAH12, RcPDAT1, RcLPCAT, RcDGAT2, and RcPDCT on bioenergy crop Camelina sativa. Furthermore, we determined NaCl or cold stress tolerance changes of transgenic Camelina. RcFAH12, RcPDAT1, RcLPCAT, RcDGAT2, and RcPDCT genes were cloned into multigene expression vector which is engineered with seed specific promoter of FAE1 or Napin. Combination of HFA genes multi-expression vector constructs were divided into Set3 (RcFAH12, RcPDAT1-2, RcLPCAT), Set4 (RcFAH12, RcDGAT2, RCPDAT1-2, RcLPCAT), and Set5 (RcFAH12, RcDGAT2, RCPDAT1-2, RcLPCAT, RcPDCT). Transgenic HFA synthesis Camelina plants were generated using agrobacterium-mediated vacuum infiltration system. Results of fatty acid composition of T1 transgenic Camelina seeds analyzed by GC-MS showed 9.5, 9.0, and 13.6 % of HFA contents in Set3#6, Set4#8, and Set5#10, respectively. Therefore, seeds of T2 generation were harvest from Set5#10 which is shown highest HFA contents, and, 17.7, 8.1 and 10.5 % of HFA contents were determined in Set5#10-5, Set5#10-8, and Set#10-10, respectively. However, 7.7% of C18:2 and 22.3 % of C18:3 among unsaturated fatty acids were decreased in Set5#10-5 than WT. Meanwhile, we confirmed abiotic stress responses in T2 transgenic Camelina Set5#10-5 and Set5#10-10 under 0, 100, 150, and 200 mM NaCl or 25, 15, and $10^{\circ}C$ temperature for 5 weeks. Both Set5#10-5 and Set5#10-10 showed lower growth in height than WT in control and NaCl condition. Growth of leaf length and width were similar in WT and Set5#10-10 but lower in Set5#10-5 under NaCl stress. Number of opened flowers showed that both transgenic Camelina were lower than WT under normal condition. But, WT and Set5#10-10 showed similar opened flower number in 100 and 200 mM NaCl. In cold stress, 15 and $10^{\circ}C$ treatment for 5 weeks did not showed significant changes in between WT and both transgenic lines even they showed different growth rate in control condition. Taken together, growth and development are delayed by expression of exogenous HFA related genes in transgenic lines but relative abiotic stress sensitivity is similar with WT. In conclusion, reduced C18:2 or C18:3 fatty acid composition of seed by HFA synthesis is resulted from lack of resource supplement for development at seedling stage but it is not affect NaCl and cold stress tolerance.

• KSBB Journal
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.110-117
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• 2006

During routine maintenance, animal cell lines are commonly cryopreserved in growth medium containing serum with 10% DMSO. But, in case of bioprocess under the serum-free conditions, including cultivation of cell lines and producing of pharmaceuticals, the cryopreservation should be executed without serum to prevent a cross-contamination. This experiments were performed to investigate the effects of the serum-free cryopreservation on the CHO cells. To improve the survival rates of the cryopreserved CHO cells in serum-free condition, first, the effects of permeable and non-permeable additives for substitute serum on cell viability were investigated. The combination of 10% DMSO and 0.03 M raffinose in MEM-${\alpha}$ without serum indicated 76% of cell viability. However, it did not reach the survival rates(more than 95%) of the conventional cryopreservation. In the second, to evaluate the cryopreservative ability of the serum-free medium(SFM) we compared viability of the CHO cells cryopreserved in the SFMs(Sigma C5467, C4726, and C1707, JBI SF486 and PF486), the cryoprotectant(Genenmed CAN-1000) and the MEM-${\alpha}$ with serum. All solution contained 10% DMSO. As a result of the comparison, cryopreserved cells in the SFMs showed over 95% of viability and appeared predominant viability better than cryoprotectant CAN-1000. Finally, we assessed the stability of the CHO cells in the long-term cryopreservation(LTC) using SFM. Every three months, the cryopreserved CHO cells were thawed to estimate the cell viability and the recovery rates. Then, real-time RT-PCR analyzed the inserted CHO DHFR gene. All results for the LTC appeared the same stability as the serum containing cryopreservation. In the conclusion, it could be seen that the LTC in the SFM can substitute for serum using methods in the bioprocess proceeded by CHO cells for more than 18 months.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.202-209
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• 2022

The green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, a unicellular haploid eukaryote, has long been used by researchers and industries as a cell factory to produce high value-added microalgae substances using genetic modification. Microalga K01, presumed to be Chlamydomonas, was isolated from 12 freshwater samples from the Chungcheong and Jeolla regions to replace C. reinhardtii, an introduced species currently used in most basic and industrial research. The isolated K01 strain was identified as C. reinhardtii through morphological and phylogenetic studies of the 18S rDNA gene sequence (NCBI accession number KC166137). The growth and lipid content of the isolated C. reinhardtii K01 were compared with three wild and four mutant strains in TAP medium, and it was found that the K01 strain could produce 1.74×10⁷ cells/ml by the third day of culture. The growth rate of C. reinhardtii K01 was 1.5 times faster than UTEX2244, which showed the highest number of cells (1.20×10⁷ cells/ml) among the compared strains. The lipid content of the isolated C. reinhardtii K01 (20.67%) was similar to those of the wild strains, although the fatty acid oleate C18:1 was not detected in the isolated strain but was identified in the seven others. The cell density of the isolated strain increased to 0.87 g/l during a six-day culture in BG11 medium, where nitrate (NaNO₃) was introduced as a nitrogen source, while the seven acquired strains showed almost no cell proliferation.

• Journal of Marine Life Science
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.104-114
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• 2023

As plastic usage increases globally, the amount of plastic waste entering the marine environment is steadily rising. Microplastics, in particular, can be ingested by marine organisms and accumulated in their digestive tracts, causing harmful effects on their growth and reproduction. Cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes are known to metabolize various environmental pollutants as detoxification enzymes, but their role in crustaceans is not well understood. In this study, sequences of nine CYP genes (CYP370A4, CYP370C5 from clan 2; CYP350A1, CYP350C5, CYP361A1 from clan 3; CYP4AN-like, CYP4AP2, CYP4AP3, CYP4C33-like1 from clan 4) were analyzed using conserved domains in the brackish water flea Diaphanosoma celebensis. Additionally, after exposure to three different sizes of polystyrene beads (0.05-, 0.5-, 6-㎛ PS beads; 0.1, 1, and 10 mg/L) for 48 hours, the expression of these nine CYP genes were investigated using real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The results showed that all CYP genes possessed conserved motifs, indicating that D. celebensis CYP has evolutionarily conserved functions. Among these CYP genes, the expression of CYP370C5, CYP360A1, and CYP4C122 showed a significant increase after exposure to 0.05-㎛ PS beads, suggesting their involvement in PS metabolism. This research will contribute to understanding the molecular mode of actions of microplastics on marine invertebrates.