• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Plant Pathology Conference
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• 2003.10a
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• pp.65.2-65
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• 2003

To protect the plant against several soil-borne pathogens, we are currently constructing disease-resistant transgenic root stock for the growth of cucurbitaceae vegetable plants, watermelon and gourd. We made a watermelon cDNA library from Cladosporium cucumerinum-Infected leaves for substractive hybriazation and differential screening. We isolated the several pathogen inducible cDNA clones, such as caffeoyl-CoA-methyltransferase, LAA induced protein, receptor-like kinase homolog, hydroxyproline-rich glycoprotein, catalase, calmodulin binding protein, mitochondrial ATPase beta subunit, methyl tRNA synthetase and WRKY transcription factors. We previously obtained CaMADS in pepper and galactinol synthase ( CsGolS) in cucumber that were confirmed to be related with disease-resistance. CaMADS and CsGolS2 were transformed into the inbred line 'GO701-2' gourd, the inbred line '6-2-2' watermelon and the Kong-dye watermelon by Agrobacterium tumerfaciens LBA4404. Plant growth regulators (zeatin, BAP and IAA) were used for shoot regeneration and root induction for optimal condition. Putative transgenic plants were selected in medium containing 100mg/L kanamycin and integration of the CaMADS and CsGO/S2 into the genomic DNA were demonstrated by the PCR analysis. We isolated major soil-borne pathogens, such as Monosporascus cannonballus, Didymella bryoniae, Cladosporium cuvumerinum from the cultivation area of watermelon or root stock, and successfully established artificial inoculation method for each pathogen. This work was supported by a grant from BioGreen 21 program, Rural Development Administration, Republic of Korea.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.31 no.6
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• pp.835-841
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• 2018

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the reversibility and safety of KISS1 metastasis suppressor (KISS1) gene vaccine in immunocastration. Methods: Six eight-week old ram lambs were randomly divided into vaccinated and control groups. The vaccine (1 mg/ram lamb) was injected at weeks 0, 3, and 6 of the study. Blood samples were collected from the jugular vein before primary immunization and at weeks 2, 4, 6, 10, 14, 22, and 30 after primary immunization. All ram lambs were slaughtered at 38 weeks of age, and samples were collected. Results: The specific anti-KISS1 antibody titers in vaccinated animals were significantly higher and the serum testosterone level was significantly lower than those in the control groups from week 4 to 14 after primary immunization (p<0.05). No significant difference was observed at weeks 22 and 30 after the primary immunization. Similar results were also found for scrotal circumference, testicular weight, length, breadth, and spermatogenesis in seminiferous tubules in week 30 after primary immunization. KS (KISS1-hepatitis B surface antigen S) fusion fragment of KISS1 gene vaccine was not detected in host cell genomic DNA of 9 tissues of the vaccinated ram lambs by polymerase chain reaction. Conclusion: The effects of KISS1 gene vaccine in immunocastration were reversible and no integration events were recorded.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.1-9
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• 2004

The potential importance of proteomic approaches has been clearly demonstrated in other fields of human medical research, including liver and heart disease and certain forms of cancer. However, reproductive researches have been applied to proteomics poorly. Proteomics can be defined as the systematic analysis of proteins for their identity, quantity, and function. It could increase the predictability of early drug development and identify non-invasive biomarkers of toxicity or efficacy. Proteome analysis is most commonly accomplished by the combination of two-dimensional gel electrophoresis(2DE) and MALDI-TOF(matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight) MS(mass spectrometry) or protein chip array and SELDI-TOF(surface-enhanced laser desorption ionization-time of flight) MS. In addition understanding the possessing knowledge of the developing biomarkers used to assess reproductive biology will also be essential components relevant to the topic of reproduction. The continued integration of proteomic and genomic data will have a fundamental impact on our understanding of the normal functioning of cells and organisms and will give insights into complex cellular processes and disease and provides new opportunities for the development of diagnostics and therapeutics. The challenge to researchers in the field of reproduction is to harness this new technology as well as others that are available to a greater extent than at present as they have considerable potential to greatly improve our understanding of the molecular aspects of reproduction both in health and disease.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.378-383
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• 2009

Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation procedure for the phalaenopsis orchid, established by using Protocorm-like bodies (PLBs), was aimed at the introduction of target genes into individuals with divergent genetic backgrounds. PLBs obtained from the axillary bud of a peduncle were maintained on a hyponex medium supplemented with 1 g/l of activated charcoal, 30 g/l of sucrose and 0.1 mg/l thiamine. The multiplication rate of PLBs was about 90% in case of subculture PLBs to be cut transversely into 1/3 part from top position. The PLBs were inoculated with Agrobacterium strain EHA105 harboring both $\beta$-glucuronidase (GUS) and hygromycin-resistant genes for 20 minutes after dipping treatment. Transformation efficiency was the highest with a Agrobacterium culture medium and dipping treatment of O.D. 0.8. Newly induced PLBs were put on selection medium containing 1 mg/l hygromycin for 2 months. Hygromycin-resistant phalaenopsis plants that regenerated after the selection culture of PLBs showed histochemical blue staining due to GUS. Transgene integration of the hygromycin-resistant plants was confirmed by PCR and Southern blot using GUS specific primers and probe.

• 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.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.105-116
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• 2011

Transgenic zoysiagrass (Zoysia japonica Steud.) expressing the bar gene inserted in the plant genome has been generated previously through Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation. The GM zoysiagrass (event: JG21) permits efficient management of weed control of widely cultivated zoysiagrass fields, reducing the frequency and cost of using various herbicides for weed control. Now we have carried out the environmental risk assessment of JG21 prior to applying to the governmental regulatory agency for the commercial release of the GM turf grass outside of test plots. The morphological phenotypes, molecular analysis, weediness and gene flow from each test plot of JG21 and wild-type zoysiagrasses have been evaluated by selectively analyzing environmental effects. There were no marked differences in morphological phenotypes between JG21 and wild-type grasses. The JG21 retained its stable integration in the host plant in T1 generation, exhibiting a 3:1 segregation ratio according to the Mendelian genetics. We confirmed the copy number (1) of JG21 by using Southern blot analysis, as the transgenic plants were tolerant to ammonium glufosinate throughout the culture period. From cross-fertilization and gene flow studies, we found a 9% cross-pollination rate at the center of JG21 field and 0% at distances over 3 m from the field. The JG21 and wild-type zoysiagrass plants are not considered "weed" because zoysiagrasses generally are not dominant and do not spread into weedy areas easily. We assessed the horizontal gene transfer (HGT) of the transgene DNA to soil microorganisms from JG21 and wild-type plants. The bar gene was not detected from the total genomic DNA extracted from each rhizosphere soil of GM and non-GM Zoysia grass fields. Through the monitoring of JG21 transgene's unintentional release into the environment, we found no evidence for either pollen mediated gene flow of zoysiagrass or seed dispersal from the test field within a 3 km radius of the natural habitat.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.469-476
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• 2017

Background: Panax ginseng Meyer (Asian ginseng) has a large nuclear genome size of > 3.5 Gbp in haploid genome equivalent of 24 chromosomes. Tandem repeats (TRs) occupy significant portions of the genome in many plants and are often found in specific genomic loci, making them a valuable molecular cytogenetic tool in discriminating chromosomes. In an effort to understand the P. ginseng genome structure, we characterized an ultrahigh copy 167-bp TR (Pg167TR) and explored its chromosomal distribution as well as its utility for chromosome identification. Methods: Polymerase chain reaction amplicons of Pg167TR were labeled, along with 5S and 45S rDNA amplicons, using a direct nick-translation method. Direct fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) was used to analyze the chromosomal distribution of Pg167TR. Results: Recently, we reported a method of karyotyping the 24 chromosome pairs of P. ginseng using rDNA and DAPI (4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole) bands. Here, a unique distribution of Pg167TR in all 24 P. ginseng chromosomes was observed, allowing easy identification of individual homologous chromosomes. Additionally, direct labeling of 5S and 45S rDNA probes allowed the identification of two additional 5S rDNA loci not previously reported, enabling the refinement of the P. ginseng karyotype. Conclusion: Identification of individual P. ginseng chromosomes was achieved using Pg167TR-FISH. Chromosome identification is important in understanding the P. ginseng genome structure, and our method will be useful for future integration of genetic linkage maps and genome scaffold anchoring. Additionally, it is a good tool for comparative studies with related species in efforts to understand the evolution of P. ginseng.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.46 no.2
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• pp.155-164
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• 2004

This involves identifying and cloning trapped genes from cultured cells carrying the gene-trap constructs and generating cloned zebrafish using these cells for functional study. Gene-trapping studies in gene-trapped cells were carried out in initial and cloned zebrafish carrying gene-trap events were successfully produced based on the nuclear transplantation technique. Two kind of retroviral gene-trap constructs were adopted. The first one(SA/GFP-TP), constructed in my laboratory, carries a GFP reporter gene containing a splicing acceptor and an internal neo gene. The second one(Neo-TP), obtained from Dr. Hicks (Hicks et al., 1997), contains a promoter-less neo gene located in the LTR sequence of a retroviral vector. The infected cells were subjected to drug selection(neomycin treatment) because the two constructs carry the neomycin resistant gene. All those cells survived the neomycin treatment should carry the proviral insertions. For Neo-TP, Isolated DNA from the neomycin-resistant fibroblast cells infected by Neo-TP, was digested with EcoR1 restriction enzyme and transformed into bacteria after ligation. This procedure led to the isolation of seven clones carrying flanking cellular DNA with a typical retroviral integration signature sequence. These clones contained genomic DNA ranging from 1kb to 7kb and sequences of 300-600 bp were obtained from each of the rescued plasmids. Database searching showed that all of them share high homology to zebrafish sequences. For fish cloning using tagged cells, initially, nucleus donors directly selected from a mixture of cells(Neo-TP cells) were used. A total of 44 embryos(3.7%) out of 1179 transplants were reached blastula stage; 8 of these embryos(0.8%) hatched and 3(0.3%) of them survived to adulthood. One out of three lived cloned zebrafish has an amplified fragment and was labeled with 32P.

• Korean Journal of Plant Tissue Culture
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.283-288
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• 1998

The bialaphos is a potent inhibitor of glutamine synthease in higher plants and is used as a non-selective herbicide. We have used the bialaphos resistant gene(Bar) encoding for an acetyltransferase isolated from Streptomyces hygroscopicus SF1293. Callus derived from mature seeds of rice(Oryza sativa L. cv. Dong Jin) were co-cultivated with Agrobacterium tumefaciens EHA101 carring a plasmid pGPTV-HB containing genes for hygromycin resistance (HygR) and Bar. Transgenic plants showing in vitro resistance to 50 mg/L hygromycin and 10 mg/L bialaphos were obtained by using a two-step selection/regeneration procedure. Transformation efficiency of rice was about 30% which was as high as reported in other dicotyledons. Progenies ($\textrm{T}_{1}$ generation) derived from primary transformant of 17 lines were segregated with a 3 resistant : 1 sensitive ratio in medium containing hygromycin and bialaphos. Stable integration of Bar gene into chromosomal DNA was proven by Southern blot analysis of genomic DNA isolated from $\textrm{T}_{2}$ progenies. Transgenic plants ($\textrm{T}_{3}$) grown in the field were resistant to bialaphos (Basta) at a dosage lethal to wild type plants.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.299-306
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• 1999

Purpose : The human genetic disorder ataxia-telangiectasia (AT) is a multisystem disease characterized by extreme radiosensitivity. The recent identification of the gene mutated in AT, ATM, and the demonstration that it encodes a homologous domain of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3-K), the catalytic subunit of an enzyme involved in transmitting signals from the cell surface to the nucleus, provide support for a role of this gene in signal transduction. Although ionizing radiation was known to induce c-fos transcription, nothing is known about how ATM or PKCI mediated signal transduction pathway modulates the c-fos gene transcription and gene expression. Here we have studied the effect of PKCI on radiation sensitivity and c-fos transcription in normal and AT cells. Materials and Methods: Normal (LM217) and AT (AT5BIVA) cells were transfected with PKCI expression plasmid and the overexpression and integration of PKCI was evaluated by northern blotting and polymerase chain reaction, respectively. 5 Gy of radiation was exposed to LM and AT cells transfected with PKCI expression plasmid and cells were harvested 48 hours after radiation and investigated apoptosis with TUNEL method. The c-fos transcription activity was studied by performing CAT assay of reporter gene after transfection of c-fos CAT plasmid into AT and LM cells. Results: Our results demonstrate for the first time a role of PKCI on the radiation sensitivity and c-fos expression in LM and AT cells. PKCI increased radiation induced apoptosis in LM cells but reduced apoptosis in AT cells. The basal c-fos transcription activity is 70 times lower in AT cells than that in LM cells. The c-fos transcription activity was repressed by overexpression of PKCI in LM cells but not in AT cells. After induction of c-fos by Ras protein, overexpression of PKCI repressed c-fos transcription in LM cells but not in AT cells Conclusion: Overexpression of PKCI increased radiation sensitivity and repressed c-fos transcription in LM cells but not in AT cells. The results may be a. reason of increased radiation sensitivity of AT cells. PKCI may be involved in an ionizing radiation induced signal transduction pathway responsible for radiation sensitivity and c-fos transcription. The data also provided evidence for novel transcriptional difference between LM and AT cells.