• Animal Systematics, Evolution and Diversity
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.347-353
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• 2020

Although sea slaters Ligia have a significant role in rocky shore habitats, their taxonomic entities have not been clearly understood. In this study, we investigated whether genetic variation inferred from a nuclear genetic marker, namely amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP), would conform to that of a mitochondrial DNA marker. Using both the mitochondrial DNA marker and the AFLP marker amplified by the six selective primer sets, we analyzed 95 Ligia individuals from eight locations from East Asia. The direct sequencing of mitochondrial 16S rRNA gene revealed three distinct genetic lineages, with 9.8-11.7 Kimura 2-parameter genetic distance. However, the results of AFLP genotyping analysis with 691 loci did not support those of mitochondrial DNA, and revealed an unexpectedly high proportion of shared polymorphisms among lineages. The inconsistency between the two different genetic markers may be explained by difference in DNA evolutionary history, for example inheritance patterns, effective population size, and mutation rate. The other factor is a possible genomic island of speciation, in that most of the genomic parts are shared among lineages, and only a few genomic regions have diverged.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.52 no.1
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• pp.99-103
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• 2014

Mitochondrial genome sequence of malaria parasites has served as a potential marker for inferring evolutionary history of the Plasmodium genus. In Plasmodium falciparum, the mitochondrial genome sequences from around the globe have provided important evolutionary understanding, but no Indian sequence has yet been utilized. We have sequenced the whole mitochondrial genome of a single P. falciparum field isolate from India using novel primers and compared with the 3D7 reference sequence and 1 previously reported Indian sequence. While the 2 Indian sequences were highly divergent from each other, the presently sequenced isolate was highly similar to the reference 3D7 strain.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.39 no.9
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• pp.680-686
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• 2016

Uncoupling proteins (UCPs) are mitochondrial inner membrane proteins that function to dissipate proton motive force and mitochondrial membrane potential. One UCP has been identified in Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans), namely UCP-4. In this study, we examined its expression and localization using a GFP marker in C. elegans. ucp-4 was expressed throughout the body from early embryo to aged adult and UCP-4 was localized in the mitochondria. It is known that increased mitochondrial membrane protential leads to a reactive oxygen species (ROS) increase, which is associated with age-related diseases, including neurodegenerative diseases in humans. A ucp-4 mutant showed increased mitochondrial membrane protential in association with increased neuronal defects during aging, and the neurons of ucp-4 overexpressing animals showed decreased neuronal defects during aging. These results suggest that UCP-4 may be involved in neuroprotection during aging via relieving mitochondrial membrane protential. We also investigated the relationship between UCP-4 and innate immunity because increased ROS can affect innate immunity. ucp-4 mutant displayed increased resistance to the pathogen Staphylococcus aureus compared to wild type. The enhanced immunity in the ucp-4 mutant could be related to increased mitochondrial membrane protential, presumably followed by increased ROS. In summary, UCP-4 might have an important role in neuronal aging and innate immune responses through mediating mitochondrial membrane protential.

• Plant Biotechnology Reports
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• v.3 no.4
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• pp.309-315
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• 2009

Molecular markers developed from the flanking sequences of two cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS)-associated genes, orf456 and ${\Psi}atp6-2$, have been used for marker-assisted selection of CMS in pepper. However, in practice, the presence of orf456 and ${\Psi}atp6-2$ at substoichiometric levels even in maintainer lines hampers reliable selection of plants containing the CMS gene. In this study, we developed a novel CMS-specific molecular marker, accD-U, for reliable determination of CMS lines in pepper, and used the newly and previously developed markers to determine the cytoplasm types of pepper breeding lines and germplasms. This marker was developed from a deletion in a chloroplast-derived sequence in the mitochondrial genome of a CMS pepper line. CMS pepper lines could be unambiguously determined by presence or absence of the accD-U marker band. Application of orf456, ${\Psi}atp6-2$and accD-U to various pepper breeding lines and germplasms revealed that accD-U is the most reliable CMS selection marker. A wide distribution of orf456, but not ${\Psi}atp6-2$, in germplasms suggests that the pepper cytoplasm containing both orf456 and ${\Psi}atp6-2$ has been selected as CMS cytoplasm from cytoplasm containing only orf456. Furthermore, factors other than orf456 may be required for the regulation of male sterility in pepper.

• ALGAE
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.49-54
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• 2018

Red algal mitochondrial genomes (mtDNAs) can provide useful information on species identification. mtDNAs of Pyropia / Porphyra (Bangiales, Rhodophyta) have shown diverse variation in their size and gene structure. In particular, the introns and intronic open reading frames found in the ribosomal RNA large subunit gene (rnl) and cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 gene (cox1) significantly vary the mitochondrial genome size in Pyropia / Porphyra species. In this study, we examined the exon / intron structure of rnl and cox1 genes of Pyropia yezoensis at the intraspecific level. The combined data of rnl and cox1 genes exhibited 12 genotypes for 40 P. yezoensis strains, based on the existence of introns. These genotypes were more effective to identify P. yezoensis strains in comparison to the traditional DNA barcode cox1 marker (5 haplotypes). Therefore, the variation in gene structure of rnl and cox1 can be a novel molecular marker to discriminate the strains of Pyropia species.

• ALGAE
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.91-103
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• 2016

A goal of phylogeography is to relate phylogenetic patterns to potential historic and contemporary geographic isolating events. Genetic breaks found in phylogeographic studies may denote boundaries between more generally applicable biogeographic regions. We investigated the distribution of Lessonia variegata, an important habitat forming alga, found on most rocky shores around New Zealand’s main islands, plus related species from surrounding waters. L. variegata has been shown to consist of four distinct cryptic species. Our aim was to compare the distribution of L. variegata with proposed bioregions; and to develop phylogeographic hypotheses to explain its present day distribution. Both a mitochondrial (atp8-sp) and plastid (RuBisCo spacer) marker, with different mutation rates, were used to gain information of the phylogenetic history of Lessonia. The data revealed high phylogeographic structuring and reciprocal endemism for all L. variegata cryptic species. One species (L. variegata / N) is confined to the northern part of the North Island of New Zealand; L. variegata / W is found at the southeast of the North Island and the northern South Island; L. variegata / K is endemic to the northeast South Island; and L. variegata / S is restricted to the southern part of the South Island. No overlapping areas of L. variegata species distribution were found. The data showed that genetic breaks in Lessonia do mostly correlate to bioregions, and highlight the importance of Cape Campbell at the northeast of the South Island and East Cape in the North Island, well known phylogeographic breaks, as a barrier between adjacent species.

• 보존과학연구
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• s.24
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• pp.153-167
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• 2003

We performed nuclear DNA typing and mitochondrial DNA sequencing analysis based on PCR from an ancient Korean remainsexcavated from Siheung in Korea. 7 bones were collected and partially STR(short tandem repeat) systems, Sex determination Amelogenin kit(Promega co, USA), were used in this study. Mitochondrial DNAs were also amplified and sequenced by ABI 310 DNA sequencer. We know that sample no. 2 and no. 3 were females and also sample no. 2 and no.7 possessed the same maternal inheritance by mitochondrial DNA sequencing results. Throughout this research, the mitochondrial DNA sequencing of human in the middle of Joseon Dynasty in Korea is obtained. In addition, this finding will be an important foundation for the future research.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.119-126
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• 2011

Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) deletion is a well-known marker for oxidative stress and aging, and contributes to harmful effects in cultured cells and animal tissues. mtDNA biogenesis genes (NRF-1, TFAM) are essential for the maintenance of mtDNA, as well as the transcription and replication of mitochondrial genomes. Considering that oxidative stress is known to affect mitochondrial biogenesis, we hypothesized that ionizing radiation (IR)-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) causes mtDNA deletion by modulating the mitochondrial biogenesis, thereby leading to cellular senescence. Therefore, we examined the effects of IR on ROS levels, cellular senescence, mitochondrial biogenesis, and mtDNA deletion in IMR-90 human lung fibroblast cells. Young IMR-90 cells at population doubling (PD) 39 were irradiated at 4 or 8 Gy. Old cells at PD55, and H2O2-treated young cells at PD 39, were compared as a positive control. The IR increased the intracellular ROS level, senescence-associated ${\beta}$-galactosidase (SA-${\beta}$-gal) activity, and mtDNA common deletion (4977 bp), and it decreased the mRNA expression of NRF-1 and TFAM in IMR-90 cells. Similar results were also observed in old cells (PD 55) and $H_2O_2$-treated young cells. To confirm that a increase in ROS level is essential for mtDNA deletion and changes of mitochondrial biogenesis in irradiated cells, the effects of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) were examined. In irradiated and $H_2O_2$-treated cells, 5 mM NAC significantly attenuated the increases of ROS, mtDNA deletion, and SA-${\beta}$-gal activity, and recovered from decreased expressions of NRF-1 and TFAM mRNA. These results suggest that ROS is a key cause of IR-induced mtDNA deletion, and the suppression of the mitochondrial biogenesis gene may mediate this process.

• BMB Reports
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• v.48 no.11
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• pp.597-598
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• 2015

Mitochondrial respiratory defect is a key bioenergetics feature of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells. However, their involvement and roles in HCC development and progression remain unclear. Recently, we identified 10 common mitochondrial defect (CMD) signature genes that may be induced by retrograde signaling-mediated transcriptional reprogramming in response to HCC mitochondrial defects. HCC patients with enriched expression of these genes had poor prognostic outcomes, such as shorter periods of overall survival and recurrence-free survival. Nuclear protein 1 (NUPR1), a key transcription regulator, was up-regulated by Ca⁺⁺-mediated retrograde signaling. NUPR1-centric network analysis and a biochemical promoter-binding assay demonstrated that granulin (GRN) is a key downstream effector of NUPR1 for the regulation of HCC cell invasiveness; association analysis of the NUPR1-GRN pathway supported this conclusion. Mitochondrial respiratory defects and retrograde signaling thus play pivotal roles in HCC progression, highlighting the potential of the NUPR1-GRN axis as a novel diagnostic marker and therapeutic target for HCC.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.355-363
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• 2009

Increased oxidative stress by abnormal mitochondrial function can damage cell signal transduction and gene expression, and induce insulin resistance or diabetes. Autophagy, however, improve insulin resistance by clearance of malfunctioning mitochondria. Exercise also recovers the muscle dysfunction and degeneration by activating mitochondrial biogenesis. As it seems that exercise and autophagy might act as an orchestrated network to induce mitochondrial biogenesis, we investigated whether autophagy is involved in AMPK signal pathway stimulated by exercise or AICAR to increase mitochondrial biogenesis. And it showed that PGC-1 and mtTFA, but not autophagy marker LC3 mRNA expression were significantly increased by 6 hr of acute exercise. On the other hand, PGC-1 and mtTFA mRNA expression were upregulated by AICAR treatment to C2C12 myotube. However these genes were not inhibited by LC3 siRNA transfection. These results provide the evidence that autopahgy affects on mitochondrial biogenesis through different signal pathway from AMPK signal transduction.