• BMB Reports
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• v.54 no.6
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• pp.317-322
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• 2021

CCCTC-binding factor (CTCF), a zinc finger protein, is a transcription factor and regulator of chromatin structure. Forebrain excitatory neuron-specific CTCF deficiency contributes to inflammation via enhanced transcription of inflammation-related genes in the cortex and hippocampus. However, little is known about the long-term effect of CTCF deficiency on postnatal neurons, astrocytes, or microglia in the hippocampus of adult mice. To address this, we knocked out the Ctcf gene in forebrain glutamatergic neurons (Ctcf cKO) by crossing Ctcf-floxed mice with Camk2a-Cre mice and examined the hippocampi of 7.5-10-month-old male mice using immunofluorescence microscopy. We found obvious neuronal cell death and reactive gliosis in the hippocampal cornu ammonis (CA)1 in 7.5-10-month-old cKO mice. Prominent rod-shaped microglia that participate in immune surveillance were observed in the stratum pyramidale and radiatum layer, indicating a potential increase in inflammatory mediators released by hippocampal neurons. Although neuronal loss was not observed in CA3, and dentate gyrus (DG) CTCF depletion induced a significant increase in the number of microglia in the stratum oriens of CA3 and reactive microgliosis and astrogliosis in the molecular layer and hilus of the DG in 7.5-10-month-old cKO mice. These results suggest that long-term Ctcf deletion from forebrain excitatory neurons may contribute to reactive gliosis induced by neuronal damage and consequent neuronal loss in the hippocampal CA1, DG, and CA3 in sequence over 7 months of age.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.135-142
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• 2001

A novel sterategy has been established to determine the origin of the Primordial Germ Cells (PGCs) in avian embryos directly and the developmental fate of the PGCs for the application to Poultry biotechnology. Cells were removed from 1) the centre of area pellucida, 2) the outer of area pellucida and 3) the area opaca of the stage X blastoderm (Eyal-Giladi & Kochav, 1976). When the cells were removed from the centre of area pellucida, the mean number of circulating PGCs in blood was significantly decreased in the embryo at stage 15 (Hamburger & Hamilton, 1951) as compared to intact embryos. When the cells were replenished with donor cells, no reduction in the PGCs number was observed. The removal of cells at the outer of area pellucida or at the area opaca had no effect on the number of PGCs. In case, another set of the manipulated embryos were cultured ex vivo to the hatching and reared to the sexual maturity, the absence of germ cells and degeneration of seminiferous tubules was observed in resulting chickens derived from the blastoderm in which the cells were removed from the centre of the area pellucida. It was concluded that the avian Primordial Germ cells are originated at the center of area pellucida. Developmental ability of the cells to differentiate into somatic cells and germ cells in chimeras were analyzed. Somatic chimerism was detected as black feather attributed from donor cells. Molecular identification by use of female - specific DNA was performed. It was confirmed that the donor cells could be differentiated into chimeric body and erythrocytes. Donor cells retained the ability to differentiate into germline in chimeric gonads. More than 70% of the generated chimeras transmitted donor derived gametes to their offspring indicating that the cells at the center of area pellucida had the high ability to differentiate into germ cells. A molecular technique to identify germline chimerism has been developed by use of gene scan analysis. Strain specific DNA fragments were amplified by the method. It would be greatly contributed for the detection of germline chimerism. Mixed- sex chimeras which contained both male and female cells were produced to investigate the developmental fate of male and female cells in ovary and testes. The sex combinations of donor and recipient of the resulting chimeras were following 4 pairs; (1) chimeras (ZZ/ZZ) produced by a male donor (ZZ) and a male recipient (ZZ), (2) chimeras (ZW/ZW) produced by a female donor (ZW) and a female recipient (ZW), (3) chimeras (ZZ/ZW) Produce by a male donor (ZZ) and a female recipient (ZW), (4) chimeras (ZW/ZZ) produced by a female donor (ZW) and a male recipient (ZZ). It was found that genetically male avian germ cells could differentiate into functional ova and that genetically female germ cells can differentiate into functional spermatozoa in the gonad of the mixed- sex chimeras. An ability for introduction of exogenous DNA into the PGCs from stage X blastoderms were analyzed. Two reporter genes, SV-$\beta$gal and RSV-GFP, were introduced into the PGCs. Expression of bacterial/gal was improved by complexing DNA with liposome detectedcc in 75% of embryos at 3 days embryos. At the embryos incubated for 1 day, expression of the GFP was observed all the embryos. At day 3 of incubation, GFP was detected in about 70% of the manipulated embryos. In case of GFP, expression of the transgene was detected in 30 %e of the manipulated embryos. These results suggested that the cells is one of the most promising vectors for transgenesis. The established strategy should be very powerfull for application to poultry biotechnology.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.47-52
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• 2006

This study was conducted to examine whether the parthenogenetic mouse embryonic stem (P-mES) cells can differentiate into functional cardiomyocytes in vitro similar to (mES) cells. p-mES04 and IVF-derived mES03 cells were cultured by suspension culture for 4 days. The formed embryoid bodies (EBs) were treated with 0.75% dimethyl-sulfoxide (DMSO) for further 4 days (4-/4+), and then plated onto gelatin coated culture dish. The appearance of contracting cardiomyocytes from the P-mES04 and mES03 cells was examined for 30 days. The highest cumulative frequency was detected at days 13 (69.83%) and 22 (61.3%), respectively. By immunocytochemistry, beating P-mES04 cells were positively stained with muscle specific anti-sarcomeric a-actinin Ab and cardiac specific anti-cardiac troponin I Ab similar to contracted mES03 cells. When the expression of cardiac muscle-specific genes was analyzed by RT-PCR, beating P-mES04 cells were expressed cardiac specific L-type calcium channel, a1C, cardiac myosin heavy chain a, cardiac muscle heavy polypeptide $7{\beta}$, GATA binding protein 4 and atrial natriuretic factor, but not expressed skeletal muscle specific L-type calcium channel, a1S, which was similar to male adult heart cells and mES03-derived beating cardiomyocytes. The result demonstrates that the P-mES cells can be used as an alternative for the study on the characteristic analysis of in vitro cardiomyocyte differentiation from the ES cells.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.16 no.5
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• pp.1025-1034
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• 2002

The herbal extract (YMT_02) is a modified herbal extracts from Yukmijihwang-tang (YMJ) to promote memory-enhancing. The YMJ extracts has been widely used as an anti-aging herbal medicine for hundred years in Asian countries. The purpose of this study is to; 1) quantitatively evaluate the memory-enhancing effect of YMT_02 by behavior task, 2) identify candidate genes responsible for enhancing memory by cDNA microarray and 3) assess the anti-oxidant effect of YMT_02 on PC12 cell. Memory retention abilities are addressed by passive avoidance task with Sprague-Dawley (SD) male rat. Before the training session, the rats are subdivided into four groups and administrated with YMT_02, Ginkgo biloba, Soya lecithin and normal saline for 10 days. The retention test was performed. 24 hours after the training session. The retention time of the YMT_02 group was significantly (p<0.05) delayed (～100%), whereas Ginkgo biloba and Soya lecithin treatment delayed 20% and 10% respectively. The hippocampi of YMT_02 and control group were dissected and mANA was further purified. After synthesizing cDNA using oligo-dT primer, the cDNA were applied to Incyte rat GEMTM 2 cDNA microarray. The microarray results show that prealbumin(transthyretin), phosphotidylethanolamine N-methyltransferase, and PEP-19 are expressed abundantly in the YMT_02 treated group. Especially, PEP-19 is a neuron-specific protein, which inhibits apoptotic processes in neuronal cell. On the other hand, transcripts of RAB15, glutamate receptor subunit 2 and CDK108 are abundant in control group. Besides, neuronal genes involved in neuronal death or neurodegeneration such as neuronal-pentraxin and spectrin are abundantly expressed in control group. Additionally, the YMT_02 shows an anti oxidative effect in the PC12 cell. The list of differentially expressed genes may implicate further insight on the action and mechanism behind the memory-enhancing effect of herbal extracts YMT_02, for example, anti-apoptotic, anti-oxidative, and neuroprotective effects.

• BMB Reports
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.343-350
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• 2004

A cDNA clone for a salicylic acid-induced gene in Chinese cabbage (Brassica rapa subsp. pekinensis) was isolated and characterized. The cabbage gene encoding a protein of 392 amino acids contained a tandem array of two thiJ-like sequences. ThiJ is a thiamin biosynthesis enzyme that catalyzes the phosphorylation of hydroxymethylpyrimidine (HMP) to HMP monophosphate. Although the cabbage gene shows a similarity to bacterial thiJ genes, it also shares a similarity with the human DJ-1, a multifunctional protein that is involved in transcription regulation, male fertility, and parkinsonism. The cabbage thiJ-like gene is strongly induced by salicylic acid and a nonhost pathogen, Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato, which elicits a hypersensitive response in Chinese cabbage. Treatment of the cabbage leaves with BTH, methyl jasmonate, or ethephon showed that the cabbage thiJ-like gene expression is also strongly induced by BTH, but not by methyl jasmonate or ethylene. This indicates that the cabbage gene is activated via a salicylic acid-dependent signaling pathway. Examination of the tissue-specific expression revealed that the induction of the cabbage gene expression by BTH occurs in the leaf, stem, and floral tissues but not in the root.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.3.1-3.8
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• 2020

Background: The IGF system plays important roles in controlling growth, development, reproduction, and aging of organisms. Methods: To estimate maturation of the Pacific oyster Crassostrea gigas, we investigated the expression of insulin-like growth factor (IGF) system components and sex-specific genes. To determine the role of the IGF system in the growth and spawning period of female and male oysters, we examined mRNA expression levels of the C. gigas insulin receptor-related receptor (CIR), IGF binding protein complex acid labile subunit (IGFBP_ALS), and molluscan insulin-related peptide (MIP), as well as those of vitellogenin (Vg) and receptor-type guanylate cyclase (Gyc76C) in gonads of C. gigas collected between April and October, when sex can be determined visually in this species. Results: We found that MIP, IGFBP_ALS, and CIR mRNA expression levels were dependent on sex and month and were greater in males than in females. CIR and Vg mRNA expression levels were very similar among females, whereas IGF system components and Gyc76C were very similarly expressed among males. The highest expression values were observed in May, when oysters are mature; CIR and Vg mRNA expression levels were highest in females, and those of MIP, IGFBP_ALS, CIR, and Gyc76C were highest in males. Interestingly, we observed a 1:1 proportion of females to males during this period. Conclusion: Our results suggest that IGF system components, as well as Vg and Gyc76C, are associated with sexual maturation in C. gigas.

• Molecular & Cellular Toxicology
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.141-149
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• 2006

Tamoxifen (TAM), a non-steroidal anti estrogen anticancer drug and chemopreventive agent for breast cancer, have caused cholestasis in liver. The potent hepatocarcinogenicity of this drug has been reported. Methotrexate (MTX) is dihydrofolate reductase inhibitor which interfaces with the synthesis for urine nucleotide and dTMP. And it may cause atrophy, necrosis and steatosis in liver. These two anticancer drug have well-known hepatotoxicity. So, in this study we compare the gene expression pattern of antitumor agent TAM and MTX, using the cDNA microarray. We have used 4.8 K cDNA microarray to identify hepatotoxicity-related genes in 5-week-old male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. Confirm the pattern of gene expression, we have used Real time PCR for targeted gene. In the case of MTX, Protease related gene (Ctse, Ctsk) and Protein kinase (Pctk 1) have shown specific expression pattern. And in the case of TAM, apoptosis related gene (Pdcd 8) and signal transduction related gene (kdr) have significantly up regulated during treatment time. Gene related with growth factor, lipid synthesis, chemokins were significantly changed. From the result of this study, the information about influence of TAM and MTX to hepatoxicity will provide.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.141-148
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• 2016

Oriental melon (Cucumis melo L. var. makuwa) is one of six subspecies of melon and is cultivated widely in East Asia, including China, Japan, and Korea. Although oriental melon is economically valuable in Asia and is genetically distinct from other subspecies, few reports of genome-scale research on oriental melon have been published. We generated 30.5 and 36.8 Gb of raw RNA sequence data from the female and male flowers, leaves, roots, and fruit of two oriental melon varieties, Korean landrace (KM) and Breeding line of NongWoo Bio Co. (NW), respectively. From the raw reads, 64,998 transcripts from KM and 100,234 transcripts from NW were de novo assembled. The assembled transcripts were used to identify molecular markers (e.g., single-nucleotide polymorphisms and simple sequence repeats), detect tissue-specific expressed genes, and construct a genetic linkage map. In total, 234 single-nucleotide polymorphisms and 25 simple sequence repeats were screened from 7,871 and 8,052 candidates, respectively, between the KM and NW varieties and used for construction of a genetic map with 94 F2 population specimens. The genetic linkage map consisted of 12 linkage groups, and 248 markers were assigned. These transcriptome and molecular marker data provide information useful for molecular breeding of oriental melon and further comparative studies of the Cucurbitaceae family.

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.191-197
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• 1994

It is generally known that mutations in any of several genes encoding photoreceptor-specific proteins have resulted in retinitis pigmentosa (RP), a disease characterized by losing photoreceptor function with progressive degeneration of photoreceptor cells and eventually leading to blindness. To study the procure and cure of photoreceptor degeneration, we produced transgenic mice. Transgene consisted of a 12.5kb genomic DNA fragment that contains mutated pig rhodopsin gene (Pro-347-Ser) including both the 5'-franking (4.0 kb) and the 3'-franking (2.9 kb) sequences. This gene was used for the production of transgenic mouse. The mutated rhodopsin DNA was microinjected into male pronuclei of fertilized mouse (C57BL /6]) embryos. We detected transgenic animals harboring mutated rhodopsin gene by PCR and Southern blot analysis. These transgenic mice showed stable transmission of microinjected rhodopsin gene into their offspring. Therefore these animals will provide a novel approach to study the mechanism of the photoreceptor degeneration and be provided as a disease model for the treatment of the blind in human.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.133-143
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• 2009

Pivotal roles of steroid hormones in uterine endometrial function are well established from the mouse models carrying the null mutation of their receptors. Literally androgen belongs to male but interestingly it also detected in female. The fluctuations of androgen levels are observed during reproductive cycle and pregnancy, and the functional androgen receptor is expressed in reproductive organs including uterus. Using high throughput methodology, the downstream genes of androgen have been isolated and revealed correlations between other steroid hormones. In androgen-deficient mice, uterine responses to exogenous gonadotropins are impaired and the number of pups per litter is reduced dramatically. As expected androgen has important role in decidual differentiation through AR. It regulates specific gene network during those cellular responses. Recently we examined the effects of steroid hormonal complex containing high level of androgen. Interestingly, on the contrary to the androgen-alone administration, the hormonal complex did not disturb the decidual reaction and the pubs did not show any morphological abnormality. It is suspected that the complexity of communication between other steroid hormone and their receptors are the reasons. In summary, androgen exists in female blood and it suggests the importance of androgen in female reproduction. However, the complex interactions with other hormones are not fully understood compared with estrogen and progesterone. The further studies to evaluate the possible role of androgen are needed and important to provide the in vivo rational for the prevention of associated pregnancy complications and help human's health.