• Animal cells and systems
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.73-78
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• 1999

Although there are several methods for the preparation of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) from mammalian tissues, most are relatively long ultracentrifugation or manipulations by a small-scale method. We escribed a rapid method for large-scale extraction of mtDNA from human placental and horse liver tissues. The method is based on the preparation and homogenization of tissues, urification of crude mitochondria by differential centrifugations and isolation of mtDNA by alkaline Iysis. It was improved from Pre-existing methods by replacing some steps with simpler ones and discarding many others. This method gives a high yield of pure mtDNA(approximately 1-5mg from one placenta; ca. 400-600 g wet weight), depending on its sources (fresh tissue gave better results than frozen one). The resulting mtDNA indicated that this method can yield mtDNA in sufficient purity and quantity to identify the direct restriction analysis on agarose gel, random-primed labeling as a probe, and end labeling. Therefore, the method is ideal for obtaining good mtDNA samples to conduct routine restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analyses of natural populations for genetic studies.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.230-234
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• 2019

Currently, the genetic modification of Aspergillus oryzae is mainly dependent on protoplast-mediated transformation (PMT). In this study, we established a dual selection marker system in an industrial A. oryzae 3.042 strain by using Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation (ATMT). We first constructed a uridine/uracil auxotrophic A. oryzae 3.042 strain and a pyrithiamine (PT)-resistance binary vector. Then, we established the ATMT system by using uridine/uracil auxotrophy and PT-resistance genes as selection markers. Finally, a dual selection marker ATMT system was developed. This study demonstrates a useful dual selection marker transformation system for genetic manipulations of A. oryzae 3.042.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.21 no.5
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• pp.529-535
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• 2011

Single-chain variable fragment (scFv) is a fusion protein of the variable regions of the heavy (VH) and light (VL) chains of immunoglobulin, connected with a short linker peptide of 10 to about 20 amino acids. In this study, the scFv of a monoclonal antibody against the third domain of human CD4 was cloned from OKT4 hybridoma cells using the phage display technique and produced in E. coli. The expression, production, and purification of anti-CD4 scFv were tested using SDS-PAGE and Western blot, and the specificity of anti-CD4 scFv was examined using ELISA. A 31 kDa recombinant anti-CD4 scFv was expressed and produced in bacteria, which was confirmed by SDS-PAGE and Western blot assays. Sequence analysis proved the ScFv structure of the construct. It was able to bind to CD4 in quality ELISA assay. The canonical structure of anti-CD4 scFv antibody was obtained using the SWISS_MODEL bioinformatics tool for comparing with the scFv general structure. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report for generating scFv against human CD4 antigen. Engineered anti-CD4 scFv could be used in immunological studies, including fluorochrome conjugation, bispecific antibody production, bifunctional protein synthesis, and other genetic engineering manipulations. Since the binding site of our product is domain 3 (D3) of the CD4 molecule and different from the CD4 immunological main domain, including D1 and D2, further studies are needed to evaluate the anti-CD4 scFv potential for diagnostic and therapeutic applications.

• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.181-188
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• 2012

As the demand for large-scale analysis of gene expression using DNA arrays increases, the importance of the surface characterization of DNA arrays has emerged. We compared the efficiency of molecular biological applications on solid-phases with different surface polarities to identify the most optimal conditions. We employed thiol-gold reactions for DNA immobilization on solid surfaces. The surface polarity was controlled by creating a self-assembled monolayer (SAM) of mercaptohexanol or hepthanethiol, which create hydrophilic or hydrophobic surface properties, respectively. A hydrophilic environment was found to be much more favorable to solid-phase molecular biological manipulations. A SAM of mercaptoethanol had the highest affinity to DNA molecules in our experimetns and it showed greater efficiency in terms of DNA hybridization and polymerization. The optimal DNA concentration for immobilization was found to be 0.5 ${\mu}M$. The optimal reaction time for both thiolated DNA and matrix molecules was 10 min and for the polymerase reaction time was 150 min. Under these optimized conditions, molecular biology techniques including DNA hybridization, ligation, polymerization, PCR and multiplex PCR were shown to be feasible in solid-state conditions. We demonstrated from our present analysis the importance of surface polarity in solid-phase molecular biological applications. A hydrophilic SAM generated a far more favorable environment than hydrophobic SAM for solid-state molecular techniques. Our findings suggest that the conditions and methods identified here could be used for DNA-DNA hybridization applications such as DNA chips and for the further development of solid-phase genetic engineering applications that involve DNA-enzyme interactions.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.139-143
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• 2014

Different with other fishes, the guppies (Poecilia reticulata) is ovoviviparity, which retain their fertilized eggs within the follicle throughout gestation. The synchronously growing diplotene oocytes store nutrients in droplets and yolk, before their maturation and fertilization. The lecithotrophic strategy of development entails the provisioning of embryos with resources from the maternal yolk deposit rather than from a placenta, it allows the extracorporeal culture of guppy embryo. Studies on their early development of live bearers like the guppy including lineage tracing and genetic manipulations, have been limited. Therefore, to optimize conditions of embryo in vitro culture, explanted embryos from pregnant females were incubated in embryo medium (L-15 medium, supplemented with 5, 10, 15, 20% fetal bovine serum, respectively). We investigated whether the contents of FBS in vitro culture medium impact the development of embryos, and whether they would hatch in vitro. Our study found that in 5% of FBS of the medium, although embryos developed significantly slower in vitro than in the ovary, it was impossible to exactly quantify the developmental delay in culture, due to the obvious spread in developmental stage within each batch of eggs, and embryos can only be maintained until the early-eyed. And although in culture with 20% FBS the embryos can sustain rapid development of early stage, but cannot be cultured for the entire period of their embryonic development and ultimately died. In the medium with 10% and 15% FBS, the embryos seems well developed, even some can continue to grow after follicle ruptures until it can be fed. We also observed that embryonic in these two culture conditions were significantly different in development speed, in 15% it is faster than 10%. But 10% FBS appears to be more optimizing condition than 15% one on development process of embryos and survival rate to larvae stage.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.45 no.11
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• pp.846-854
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• 2022

Neurons make long-distance connections via their axons, and the accuracy and stability of these connections are crucial for brain function. Research using various animal models showed that the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying the assembly and maintenance of neuronal circuitry are highly conserved in vertebrates. Therefore, to gain a deeper understanding of brain development and maintenance, an efficient vertebrate model is required, where the axons of a defined neuronal cell type can be genetically manipulated and selectively visualized in vivo. Placental mammals pose an experimental challenge, as time-consuming breeding of genetically modified animals is required due to their in utero development. Xenopus laevis, the most commonly used amphibian model, offers comparative advantages, since their embryos ex utero during which embryological manipulations can be performed. However, the tetraploidy of the X. laevis genome makes them not ideal for genetic studies. Here, we use Xenopus tropicalis, a diploid amphibian species, to visualize axonal pathfinding and degeneration of a single central nervous system neuronal cell type, the retinal ganglion cell (RGC). First, we show that RGC axons follow the developmental trajectory previously described in X. laevis with a slightly different timeline. Second, we demonstrate that co-electroporation of DNA and/or oligonucleotides enables the visualization of gene function-altered RGC axons in an intact brain. Finally, using this method, we show that the axon-autonomous, Sarm1-dependent axon destruction program operates in X. tropicalis. Taken together, the present study demonstrates that the visual system of X. tropicalis is a highly efficient model to identify new molecular mechanisms underlying axon guidance and survival.

• Korean Journal of Plant Tissue Culture
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.37-41
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• 1997

The in vitro regeneration and genetic transformation systems in hot pepper(Capsicum annuum L.) have not been routinely available, which has been a major limiting factor in the application of new genetic manipulations. An efficient procedure to regenerate whole pepper plants and to generate transgenic plants expressing a foreign gene was established. A relatively high frequency of plant regeneration was observed when hypocotyl and cotyledon explants were cultured on MS medium supplemented with NAA 0.1 mg/L plus zeatin 2.0 mg/L or IBA 10.0 mg/L plus BAP 1.0 mg/L. Addition of AgNO$_3$5 $\mu$M to these media improved the regeneration frequency up to 8%. For plant transformation, hypocotyl and cotyledon explants of hot pepper were precultured on shoot induction media without kanamycin added for 2 days, and then cocultured with Agrobacterium tumefaciens pDY183 for 2 days. Putative transformants were obtained from selection media containing 100 mg/L kanamycin sulfate and 500 mg/L carbenicillin. Putatively selected transformants were confirmed by amplification of selectable marker genes (ADA and NPT II) by polymerase chain reacion. Successful transcripts of ADA gene were detected by Northern blot analysis. Enzyme activity of ADA was also examined by spectrophotometric analysis, and expression of ADA gene in hot pepper suggests the potential application of ADA gene as a selectable marker in plants.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.43-48
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• 2004

As an initial step for future genetic manipulations to improve forage characteristics of Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.), an efficient tissue culture system was established and the factors affecting plant regeneration were evaluated. MS medium containing 5mg/L 2,4-D was optimal for embryogenic callus induction from mature seed and had a strong effect on successive plant regeneration. The plant regeneration frequency was observed at above 70％ when embryogenic calli induced were transferred to N6 medium supplemented with 1mg/L 2,4-D and 5mg/L BA. Among several basic media tested, MS and N6 medium were optimal for callus induction and plant regeneration, respectively. Genotype was an important factor in plant regenerability. 'Jeanne' showed the highest regeneration frequency of 73％. A short tissue culture period and high-frequency regeneration system established in this study will be useful for molecular breeding of Italian ryegrass through genetic transformation.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.46 no.2
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• pp.243-250
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• 2004

In an effort to optimize tissue culture responses of Italian ryegrass(Lolium multiflorum Lam.) for future genetic manipulations to improve forage characteristics, the effects of culture medium supplements on tissue culture responses were investigated with mature seeds of three cultivars, 'Jeanne', 'Florida-80' and 'Metro', as explant tissues. For all explants, MS medium containing 5mg/L 2,4-D was optimal for embryogenic callus induction from mature seed and had a strong effect on successive plant regeneration. The optimal concentration of dicamba for the induction of embryogenic callus from mature seeds was 7mg/L. The highest plant regeneration frequency was observed when embryogenic callus was transferred to N6 medium supplemented with 1mg/L 2,4-D and 5mg/L BA. Plant regeneration frequency of callus cultured in the dark was higher than that of cultured in the light. Casein hydrolysate and L-proline improved both in embryogenic callus induction from mature seeds and plant regeneration. High-frequency regeneration system established in this study will be useful for molecular breeding of Italian ryegrass through genetic transformation.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.627-637
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• 2018

Motility and chemotaxis are crucial for disease development in many motile pathogens, including spirochetes. In many bacteria, motility is provided by flagella rotation, which is controlled by a chemotaxis-signal-transduction system. Thus, motility and chemotaxis are inextricably linked. Spirochetes are a unique group of bacteria with distinctive flat-wave morphology and corkscrew-like locomotion. This unusual motility pattern is believed to be important for efficient motility within the dense tissues through which these spirochetes preferentially disseminate in a host. Unlike other externally flagellated bacteria-where flagella are in the ambient environment-the flagella of spirochetes are enclosed by the outer membrane and thus are called periplasmic flagella or endoflagella. Although motilityand chemotaxis-associated genes are well studied in some bacteria, the knowledge of how the spirochete achieves complex swimming and the roles of most of the putative spirochetal chemotaxis proteins are still elusive. Recently, cutting-edge imaging methods and unique genetic manipulations in spirochetes have helped to unravel the mystery of motility and chemotaxis in spirochetes. These contemporary advances in understanding the motility and chemotaxis of spirochetes in a host's persistence and disease process are highlighted in this review.