• Animal cells and systems
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.165-168
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• 2007

The nucleotide sequences of a male-specific marker sex determining region Y (SRY) gene and a mitochondrial cytochrome B (CYTB) gene were characterized and analyzed to establish a molecular method for identification of species and sex of Korean roe deer (Capreolus pygargus tianschanicus). Similarity search result of SRY sequences showed very similar result to those reported in Moose (Alces alces) and Reindeer (Rangifer tarandus), both of which had 95.9% similarity in identity. CYTB genes were very similar to those reported in Siberian roe deer (C. pygargus pygargus) which had 98.6% similarity and not to European roe deer (C. capreolus), suggesting that the DNA samples tested were of Siberian roe deer lineage. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based sex typing successfully discriminated between carcasses of male and female roe deer. Males had SRY band on agarose gels and females did not. The result of this molecular sex typing provided similar information with that obtained by genital organ observation. Therefore, this molecular method using male specific marker SRY and mitochondrial CYTB genes would be very useful for identification of the species and sex of the carcass remains of roe deer.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.131-137
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• 2008

Adipogenesis is a complex sequence of events that culminates in the differentiation of fibroblast-like preadipocytes into specialized lipid-filled adipocytes and also involves a cascade of expression of many transcription factors such as peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor ${\gamma}(PPAR{\gamma})$ and CCAAT/enhancer-binding proteins (C/EBPs). $PPAR{\gamma}$ and C/EBPs transcriptionally transactivate adipocyte specific genes, including fatty acid transport protein (FAT/CD36) and leptin. To determine whether $17{\beta}$-estradiol modulates $C/EBP{\alpha}$ actions on adipogenesis in high fat diet-fed female ovariectomized (OVX) C57BL/6 mice, mice were treated with $17{\beta}$-estradiol for 7 days and the effects of $17{\beta}$-estradiol on adipose tissue mass and expression of adipocyte specific gene as well as $C/EBP{\alpha}$ were measured. Compared to vehicle-treated OVX control mice, OVX mice treated with $17{\beta}$-estradiol for 7 days had lower adipose tissue weights that were similar to weights in high fat diet-fed sham-operated (Sham) mice. OVX mice showed the increased expression of $C/EBP{\alpha}$ mRNA compared with Sham mice. However, $17{\beta}$-estradiol treatment in OVX mice inhibited OVX induced-$C/EBP{\alpha}$ activation, indicating that $17{\beta}$-estradiol may act as an inhibitor of $C/EBP{\alpha}$ action. Moreover, $17{\beta}$-estradiol decreased mRNA levels of adipocyte marker genes, such as lipoprotein lipase, FAT/CD36 and leptin, to levels in Sham mice. These results suggest that down-regulation of adipogenesis by $17{\beta}$-estradiol may be due to reduced adipose $C/EBP{\alpha}$ activities in female OVX C57BL/6 mice.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.54 no.4
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• pp.320-324
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• 2018

Chunkookjang, fermented soybean is rich in diverse oligopeptides which derived from cleavage of soybean proteins during fermentation. Microarray data containing differently expressed genes in breast cancer cells treated with fermented soybean extract and well known breast cancer metastasis markers were combined, and a new network was constructed. It is used to check interactions between the marker proteins and the differently expressed genes. Based on the network analysis, PLAU (plasminogen activator, urokinase, uPA) and ERBB2 (epidermal growth factor receptor 2) are chosen as possible metastasis genes. We treated breast cancer MCF7 cells with fermented soybean extract and measured expression levels of PLAU and ERBB2. Fermented soybean extract suppressed PLAU and ERBB2 expressions conspicuously. In the cancer cells treated with fermented soybean extracts, an inflammation marker, NO production was also reduced. It will be interesting to find specific peptides to suppress PLAU and ERBB2 expressions in human breast cancer cells.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.703-711
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• 2023

As an initial study to elucidate the molecular mechanism of how probiotics modulate macrophage activity, we monitored mRNA expression patterns in peritoneal macrophages (PMs) treated with two different strains of probiotics. After treatment with either Weissella cibaria WIKIM28 or Latilactobacillus sakei WIKIM50, total RNAs from PMs were isolated and subjected into gene chip analyses. As controls, mRNAs from vehicle (phosphate-buffered saline, PBS)-treated PMs were also subjected to gene chip analysis. Compared to vehicle (PBS)-treated PMs, WIKIM28-treated and WIKIM50-treated PMs exhibited a total of 889 and 432 differentially expressed genes with expression differences of at least 4 folds, respectively. Compared to WIKIM28-treated PMs, WIKIM50-treated PMs showed 25 up-regulated genes and 21 down-regulated genes with expression differences of more than 2 folds. Interestingly, mRNA transcripts of M2 macrophage polarization marker such as anxa1, mafb, and sepp1 were increased in WIKIM50-treated PMs comparing to those in WIKIM28-treated PMs. Reversely, mRNA transcripts of M1 macrophage polarization marker such as hdac9, ptgs2, and socs3 were decreased in WIKIM50-treated PMs comparing to those in WIKIM28-treated PMs. In agreement with these observations, mRNA expression levels of tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-1α were significantly reduced in WIKIM50-treated macrophages compared to those in WIKIM28-treated macrophages. These results may indicate that probiotics can be classified as two different types depending on their ability to convert macrophages into M1 or M2 polarization.

• International Journal of Stem Cells
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.438-447
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• 2023

Recently, ex-vivo gene therapy has emerged as a promising approach to enhance the therapeutic potential of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) by introducing functional genes in vitro. Here, we explored the need of using selection markers to increase the gene delivery efficiency and evaluated the potential risks associated with their use in the manufacturing process. We used MSCs/CD that carry the cytosine deaminase gene (CD) as a therapeutic gene and a puromycin resistance gene (PuroR) as a selection marker. We evaluated the correlation between the therapeutic efficacy and the purity of therapeutic MSCs/CD by examining their anti-cancer effect on co-cultured U87/GFP cells. To simulate in vivo horizontal transfer of the PuroR gene in vivo, we generated a puromycin-resistant E. coli (E. coli/PuroR) by introducing the PuroR gene and assessed its responsiveness to various antibiotics. We found that the anti-cancer effect of MSCs/CD was directly proportional to their purity, suggesting the crucial role of the PuroR gene in eliminating impure unmodified MSCs and enhancing the purity of MSCs/CD during the manufacturing process. Additionally, we found that clinically available antibiotics were effective in inhibiting the growth of hypothetical microorganism, E. coli/PuroR. In summary, our study highlights the potential benefits of using the PuroR gene as a selection marker to enhance the purity and efficacy of therapeutic cells in MSC-based gene therapy. Furthermore, our study suggests that the potential risk of horizontal transfer of antibiotics resistance genes in vivo can be effectively managed by clinically available antibiotics.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.17 no.3 s.83
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• pp.402-406
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• 2007

This study was performed to develop the molecular marker for sex determination of hare (Lepus coreanus) distributed in Korea which focused on sexual dimorphism between X and Y chromosomal homologous genes, zinc finger-X (ZFX) and -Y (ZFY). The intron 7 regions of ZFX and ZFY genes exhibited differential amplification patterns between male and female hares. The lengths of intron 7 region of ZFX and ZFY genes were 538 and 233-bp, respectively. Especially, the ZFX intron 7 contained a repetitive sequence identified as member of RNA-mediated transposable elements which was similar to CSINE2 commonly found in the rabbit genome. However, it was not present in intron 7 of ZFY gene. The molecular sex typing by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was also carried out to determine the sex of hare based on difference in lengths between the intron 7 regions of ZFX and ZFY genes. All DNA samples tested had common band amplified from ZFX. However, the male hare DNAs had two distinct bands which amplified from ZFX and ZFY genes, respectively. The results from ZFX-ZFY PCR sex typing were identical to those from phenotypic investigation and from amplification patterns using male-specific sex determining region Y (SRY) gene as well. Finally, this study suggested that the sexual dimorphism between intron 7 regions of ZFX and ZFY could be useful genetic marker to determine sex of hare.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.178-190
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• 2017

$Fragaria{\times}ananassa$, a strawberry evolved from hybridization between F. virginiana and F. chiloensis, is a globally cultivated and consumed fruit crop valued for its flavor and nutritional value. Flavor and quality of fruits are determined by factors such as sugars and organic acids present during fruit development. These characteristics are highly subjective in different genotypes and affected by various environmental factors. In this study, we analyzed contents of major sugar compounds including fructose, glucose and sucrose by HPLC analysis in four cultivars namely, Maehyang, Seolhyang, Festival and Sweet Charlie. We identified 55 genes related to fructose, glucose, sucrose and soluble sugar regulation whose expression were analyzed in four cultivars at three developmental stages of the fruit namely, green, white and ripened stages. Expression of these genes across these progressive fruit developmental stages varied among cultivars. Among the 55 genes, genes FaFru3, FaSuc11 and FaGlu8 revealed differential patterns of expression along developmental stages of the fruit in high and low sugar-containing genotypes, respectively and may be putative candidates for sugar content in strawberries. Expression of genes are discussed with regard to corresponding sugar content in these genotypes. Further analysis and application of these genes may be valuable in developing high sugar containing cultivars via marker-assisted breeding.

• The Journal of Advanced Prosthodontics
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• v.7 no.6
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• pp.496-505
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• 2015

PURPOSE. To determine the effect of fibronectin (FN)-conjugated, microgrooved titanium (Ti) on osteoblast differentiation and gene expression in human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). MATERIALS AND METHODS. Photolithography was used to fabricate the microgrooved Ti, and amine functionalization (silanization) was used to immobilize fibronectin on the titanium surfaces. Osteoblast differentiation and osteoblast marker gene expression were analyzed by means of alkaline phosphatase activity assay, extracellular calcium deposition assay, and quantitative real-time PCR. RESULTS. The conjugation of fibronectin on Ti significantly increased osteoblast differentiation in MSCs compared with non-conjugated Ti substrates. On the extracellular calcium deposition assays of MSCs at 21 days, an approximately two-fold increase in calcium concentration was observed on the etched 60-${\mu}m$-wide/10-${\mu}m$-deep microgrooved surface with fibronectin (E60/10FN) compared with the same surface without fibronectin (E60/10), and a more than four-fold increase in calcium concentration was observed on E60/10FN compared with the non-etched control (NE0) and etched control (E0) surfaces. Through a series of analyses to determine the expression of osteoblast marker genes, a significant increase in all the marker genes except type I collagen ${\alpha}1$ mRNA was seen with E60/10FN more than with any of the other groups, as compared with NE0. CONCLUSION. The FN-conjugated, microgrooved Ti substrate can provide an effective surface to promote osteoblast differentiation and osteoblast marker gene expression in MSCs.

• Genomics & Informatics
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• v.5 no.4
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• pp.152-160
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• 2007

Most common diseases are caused by multiple genetic and environmental factors. Among the genetic factors, single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are common DNA sequence variations in individuals and can serve as important genetic markers. Recently, investigations of gene-based and whole genome-based SNPs have been applied to association studies for marker discovery. However, SNPs are so population-specific that the association needs to be verified. Fifty-five genes and 384 SNPs were selected based on association with disease. Genotypes of 337 SNPs in candidate genes were determined using Illumina Sentrix Array Matrix (SAM) chips by an allele-specific extension method in 364 unrelated Korean individuals. Allelic frequencies of SNPs were compared with those of other populations obtained from the International HapMap database. Minor allele frequencies, linkage disequilibrium blocks, tagSNPs, and haplotypes of functional candidate SNPs in 55 genetic disease-associated genes were provided. Our data may provide useful information for the selection of genetic markers for gene-based genetic disease-association studies of the Korean population.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.144-148
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• 2009

The transfer of Mn-Superoxide Dismutase (SOD2) gene, complex gene (SA) of CuZnSOD and ascorbate peroxidase (APX), and NDP kinase 2 (NDPK2) gene into Korean 4 cultivars (cvs. Millenium White, Glory Blue, Glory Red, and Glory Purple) and 15 purebred lines of petunia was conducted using Agrobaterium-mediated technique. Two (Wongyo A2-16 and A2-36) of 15 purebred lines and one (cv. Glory Red) of 4 cultivars were effective for the transfer of SOD2 gene. The putative transgenic plants survived on the 2nd selection medium were 124. From PCR analysis, 118 (derived from 4 cultivars and 2 purebred lines) of 124 plants were confirmed to contain marker (npt II ) gene, while 58 of 118 plants did not have target genes. There were no plants with both npt II and SA genes. Twenty seven of 28 SOD2 transgenic plants were re-confirmed as transformants by Sothern analysis. SOD2 and NDPK2 genes were expressed in the transgenic petunias as the ratio of 77.8 to 100.0 % and 23.5%, respectively. T1 seeds were obtained from 36 acclimated transgenic plants (SOD2 34 plus NDPK2) in a glasshouse by self-pollination.