• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.151-158
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• 2000

Pneumocystis carinii is a major opportunistic pathogen which has been found in the lungs of a wide variety of mammalian host species, and the fact suggests the possibility of intraspecific variation. Until now, P. carinii from different mammalian species are differentiated as subspecies, and the rats are known to be infected by two subspecies. The present study investigated genetic heterogeneity of P. carinii isolates from two strains of rats in Korea and China by molecular karyotyping, RFLP and sequencing analysis. Karyotypes of P. carinii were grouped into three, two from two strains of rats In Korea and one from rats in China. However RFLP of PCR product of ribosomal and MSG gene of the P. carinii isolates showed same pattern. The sequence homology rates of ${\alpha}-tubulin$ DNA of the P. carinii isolates were 96% in Seoul Wistar rats, 93% in Seoul Sprague-Dawley rats, and 85% in Chinese Sprague-Dawley rats. The present finding confirmed that P. carinii from rats in Korea are grouped into two karyotype strains which are different from that of P. carinii from rats in China. The Chinese isolate shows a little different sequences of ${\alpha}-tubulin$ DNA.

• Journal of Genetic Medicine
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.85-93
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• 2022

Purpose: Cornelia de Lange syndrome (CdLS) is a rare genetically heterogeneous disorder caused by genetic variants of the cohesin complex. However, the diverse genetic etiologies and their phenotypic correlations in Korean patients with CdLS are still largely unknown. Hence, this study aimed to clarify the clinical characteristics and genetic background of Korean patients with CdLS. Materials and Methods: The medical records of 15 unrelated patients (3 males and 12 females) genetically confirmed to have CdLS were retrospectively reviewed. All individuals were diagnosed with CdLS using target gene analysis, whole-exome sequencing, and/or chromosomal microarray analysis. The clinical score (CS) was calculated to assess disease severity. Results: The median age at diagnosis was 1.7 (range, 0.0-11.8) years, and median follow-up duration was 3.8 (range, 0.4-11.7) years. Eight (53.3%) patients showed classic phenotypes of CdLS, two (13.3%) showed non-classic phenotypes, and five (33.3%) had other phenotypes sharing limited signs of CdLS. Fifteen causative variants were identified: NIPBL in five (33.3%, including 3 males), SMC1A in three (20.0%), SMC3 in three (20.0%), and HDAC8 in four (26.7%) patients. The CS was significantly higher in the NIPBL group than in the non-NIPBL group (14.2±1.3 vs. 8.7±2.9, P<0.001). Conclusion: We identified the clinical and genetic heterogeneity of CdLS in Korean patients. Patients with variants of NIPBL had a more distinctive phenotype than those carrying variants of other cohesin complex genes (SMC1A, SMC3, and HDAC8). However, further studies are warranted to understand the pathogenesis of CdLS as a cohesinopathy and its genotype-phenotype correlations.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.46 no.10
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• pp.611-626
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• 2023

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a heterogeneous disease caused by distinctive mutations in individual patients; therefore, each patient may display different cell-type compositions. Although most patients with AML achieve complete remission (CR) through intensive chemotherapy, the likelihood of relapse remains high. Several studies have attempted to characterize the genetic and cellular heterogeneity of AML; however, our understanding of the cellular heterogeneity of AML remains limited. In this study, we performed single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNAseq) of bone marrow-derived mononuclear cells obtained from same patients at different AML stages (diagnosis, CR, and relapse). We found that hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) at diagnosis were abnormal compared to normal HSCs. By improving the detection of the DNMT3A R882 mutation with targeted scRNAseq, we identified that DNMT3A-mutant cells that mainly remained were granulocyte-monocyte progenitors (GMPs) or lymphoid-primed multipotential progenitors (LMPPs) from CR to relapse and that DNMT3A-mutant cells have gene signatures related to AML and leukemic cells. Copy number variation analysis at the single-cell level indicated that the cell type that possesses DNMT3A mutations is an important factor in AML relapse and that GMP and LMPP cells can affect relapse in patients with AML. This study advances our understanding of the role of DNMT3A in AML relapse and our approach can be applied to predict treatment outcomes.

• BMB Reports
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• v.57 no.5
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• pp.232-237
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• 2024

This study investigated how adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells (AT-MSCs) respond to chondrogenic induction using droplet-based single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq). We analyzed 37,219 high-quality transcripts from control cells and cells induced for 1 week (1W) and 2 weeks (2W). Four distinct cell clusters (0-3), undetectable by bulk analysis, exhibited varying proportions. Cluster 1 dominated in control and 1W cells, whereas clusters (3, 2, and 0) exclusively dominated in control, 1W, and 2W cells, respectively. Furthermore, heterogeneous chondrogenic markers expression within clusters emerged. Gene ontology (GO) enrichment analysis of differentially expressed genes unveiled cluster-specific variations in key biological processes (BP): (1) Cluster 1 exhibited up-regulation of GO-BP terms related to ribosome biogenesis and translational control, crucial for maintaining stem cell properties and homeostasis; (2) Additionally, cluster 1 showed up-regulation of GO-BP terms associated with mitochondrial oxidative metabolism; (3) Cluster 3 displayed up-regulation of GO-BP terms related to cell proliferation; (4) Clusters 0 and 2 demonstrated similar up-regulation of GO-BP terms linked to collagen fibril organization and supramolecular fiber organization. However, only cluster 0 showed a significant decrease in GO-BP terms related to ribosome production, implying a potential correlation between ribosome regulation and the differentiation stages of AT-MSCs. Overall, our findings highlight heterogeneous cell clusters with varying balances between proliferation and differentiation before, and after, chondrogenic stimulation. This provides enhanced insights into the single-cell dynamics of AT-MSCs during chondrogenic differentiation.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.1263-1267
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• 2014

Background: Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) play important roles in pathogenesis and development of cancer. Recently, many studies have show associations between polymorphisms in the promoter regions of MMPs and risk of gastric cancer. The present meta-analysis was conducted in order to investigate the potential association between four polymorphisms in the MMP gene and gastric cancer risk. Methods: A computerized literature search was conducted in databases of Med-line, Embase, Science Citation Index and PubMed till June 2013 for any MMP genetic association study of gastric cancer. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95 % confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated for each gene under dominant and recessive models, and heterogeneity between studies was assessed using the Q test and $I^2$ value. Overall and subgroup analyses according to ethnicity were carried out with Stata 12.0. Results: 14 reports covering 8,146 patients (2,980 in the case group and 5,166 in the control group) were included in the present meta-analysis. We found that the MMP-7 (-181A>G) polymorphism increased the gastric cancer risk in therecessive model (GG vs. AA/AG, OR=1.768, 95% CI =1.153-2.712). For MMP2 -1306 C>T, MMP1-1607 1G/2G, and MMP9-1 562 C>T, there were no associations between these polymorphisms and the risk of gastric cancer under dominant or recessive models. Conclusion: This meta-analysis suggested that the MMP7-181 A>G polymorphism may contribute to gastric cancer susceptibility. More studies are needed, especially in Europeans, in the future.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.17
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• pp.7419-7424
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• 2014

Gliomas are the most common type of primary brain tumors. The XRCC1 Arg194Trp variant affects the proliferating cell nuclear antigen(PCNA) binding region, which suggests that this mutation may contribute to gliomagenesis and a number of articles have examine the association between XRCC1 Arg194Trp and the susceptibility to glioma. However, the results were conflicting. Test of heterogeneity, sensitivity analysis, meta-analysis, and assessment of publication bias were all performed in our present meta-analysis, covering a total of 5,407 patients and 7,715 healthy persons. In the overall analysis the XRCC1 Arg194Trp polymorphism showed a significant association with glioma susceptibility in a recessive mode l(for TrpTrp vs ArgArg+ArgTrp: OR=1.918, 95%CI=1.575-2.336, $I^2$=2.3%). In addition, analysis of subgroups presented an increased risk in Asians and populations-based on hospitals. The results suggested that the XRCC1 Arg194Trp polymorphism is a genetic risk factor for glioma, especially in Asian population. To further evaluate gene-gene and gene-environment interactions on XRCC1 polymorphisms and glioma risk, thousands of subjects and tissue-specific biochemical characterizations are required.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.20 no.12
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• pp.1791-1797
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• 2007

A study was conducted with 70 Hanwoo (Korean cattle) for genotyping bovine leukocyte antigen (BoLA)-DRB3.2 gene by using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and sequence based typing (SBT). Two-step PCR was carried out for amplifying a 284 bp fragment of the target gene and the PCR products were digested with three restriction enzymes namely RsaI, BstYI and HaeIII. Seventeen alleles were detected with frequencies ranging from 1.43 to 18.57% and one (x'aa) of these alleles was identified as a new allele that has not been reported before. The frequency of the new x'aa allele identified in this breed was 12.86%. In addition, the seven most frequently observed alleles (DRB3.2 *10, *15, *16, *26, *27, *54 and x'aa) accounted for 74.28% of the alleles in this population. The phylogenetic tree showed that the BoLA-DRB3.2 allele sequences of Hanwoo were shared with other Bos taurus breeds and no specific clade for Hanwoo was identified. It indicates high heterogeneity of the BoLA-DRB3 gene in this population and may give some ideas for breeding animals having better disease resistance.

• Journal of Genetic Medicine
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.42-46
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• 2012

Short-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase deficiency (SCADD; OMIM # 201470) is an autosomal recessive inborn error of mitochondrial fatty acid ${\beta}$-oxidation, presenting with a variety of clinical signs and symptoms. Developmental delay, hypertonia or hypotonia, ketotic hypoglycemia, and epilepsy are most frequently reported. In general, patients diagnosed through newborn screening have shown normal growth and development in contrast to those diagnosed as a result of clinically initiated evaluations. Here, the case of an asymptomatic Korean newborn with SCADD identified by tandem mass spectrometry is reported. The patient showed an elevated concentration of butyrylcarnitine detected on newborn screening. Urinary excretion of ethylmalonic acid was elevated by urine organic acid analysis. To confirm the diagnosis of SCADD, a direct sequencing analysis of 10 coding exons and the exon-intron boundaries of the ACADS gene were performed. Genetic analysis of ACADS showed the following novel compound heterozygous missense mutations: c.277C>A (p.Leu93Ile) on exon3 and c.682G>A (p.Glu288Lys) on exon6. These results will provide further evidence of mutational heterogeneity for SCADD.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.80 no.1
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• pp.77-82
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• 2017

Background: Delayed hypersensitivity plays a large role in the pathogenesis of tuberculous pleural effusion (TPE). Macrophages infected with live Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) increase the levels of adenosine deaminase2 (ADA2) in the pleural fluid of TPE patients. However, it is as yet unclear whether ADA2 can be produced by macrophages when challenged with MTB antigens alone. This study therefore evaluated the levels of ADA2 mRNA expression, using monocyte-derived macrophages (MDMs) stimulated with MTB antigens. Methods: Purified monocytes from the peripheral blood mononuclear cells of healthy volunteers were differentiated into macrophages using granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) or macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF). The MDMs were stimulated with early secretory antigenic target protein 6 (ESAT6) and culture filtrate protein 10 (CFP10). The mRNA expression levels for the cat eye syndrome chromosome region, candidate 1 (CECR1) gene encoding ADA2 were then measured. Results: CECR1 mRNA expression levels were significantly higher in MDMs stimulated with ESAT6 and CFP10, than in the unstimulated MDMs. When stimulated with ESAT6, M-CSF-treated MDMs showed more pronounced CECR1 mRNA expression than GM-CSF-treated MDMs. Interferon-${\gamma}$ decreased the ESAT6- and CFP10-induced CECR1 mRNA expression in MDMs. CECR1 mRNA expression levels were positively correlated with mRNA expression of tumor necrosis factor ${\alpha}$ and interleukin 10, respectively. Conclusion: ADA2 mRNA expression increased when MDMs were stimulated with MTB antigens alone. This partly indicates that pleural fluid ADA levels could increase in patients with culture-negative TPE. Our results may be helpful in improving the understanding of TPE pathogenesis.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Inherited Metabolic disease
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.24-28
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• 2020

Type III Glycogen storage disease (Type III GSD, OMIM#232400) is a genetic metabolic disorder in which undigested glycogen accumulates in the organs due to lack of glycogen debranching enzyme caused by AGL mutation. The clinical symptoms of type III GSD include hepatomegaly, delayed growth, hypoglycemia and muscle weakness. These clinical symptoms are similar to those of other types of GSD, making it difficult to distinguish clinically. The authors report a case of type III GSD diagnosed by gene panel sequencing. A 11-month old male patient was presented with hepatomegaly. In liver biopsy, glycogen was accumulated in hepatocytes, suggesting GSDs. For differential diagnosis of types of GSD, gene panel sequencing for GSDs was performed. As a result, two novel pathogenic compound heterozygous variants: c.311_312del (p.His104Argfs*15) and c.3314+1G>A in AGL were detected and the patient was diagnosed as type III GSD. After diagnosis, he started dietary treatment with cornstarch, and has been free from complications. After two years, two same variants were also identified in the chorionic villous sampling of the pregnant mother, and the fetus was diagnosed as type III GSD. Gene panel sequencing is useful for diagnosis of disease which is indistinguishable by clinically and has high genetic heterogeneity, such as GSD. After diagnosis, familial genetic analysis can provide adequate genetic counseling and rapid diagnosis.