• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.58 no.9
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• pp.317-324
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• 2015

Kabuki syndrome (KS) is a rare syndrome characterized by multiple congenital anomalies and mental retardation. Other characteristics include a peculiar facial gestalt, short stature, skeletal and visceral abnormalities, cardiac anomalies, and immunological defects. Whole exome sequencing has uncovered the genetic basis of KS. Prior to 2013, there was no molecular genetic information about KS in Korean patients. More recently, direct Sanger sequencing and exome sequencing revealed KMT2D variants in 11 Korean patients and a KDM6A variant in one Korean patient. The high detection rate of KMT2D and KDM6A mutations (92.3%) is expected owing to the strict criteria used to establish a clinical diagnosis. Increased awareness and understanding of KS among clinicians is important for diagnosis and management of KS and for primary care of KS patients. Because mutation detection rates rely on the accuracy of the clinical diagnosis and the inclusion or exclusion of atypical cases, recognition of KS will facilitate the identification of novel mutations. A brief review of KS is provided, highlighting the clinical and genetic characteristics of patients with KS.

• Genomics & Informatics
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.70-75
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• 2010

Asp66his, Asp54Lys, and Asp50Asn are mutations in connexin 26 that are observed in the clinic and give rise to autosomal dominant syndromes. They are the result of point mutations in the human gap junction ${\beta}-2$ gene. In order to investigate the structural mechanism of Bart-Pumphrey Syndrome, Keratitis-Ichthyosis-Deafness Syndrome, and Vohwinkel Syndrome, homology modeling was carried out. Asp66 has direct contact with Asn62 by two hydrogen bonds in the wild-type protein, and in Asp66His, the biggest change observed is a tremendous energy increase caused by hydrogen bond breakage to Asn62. Shifts in the side chain and new hydrogen bond formation are observed for Lys54 compared to the wild-type protein (Asn54) and result in closer contact to Val84. Asp50Asn causes a significant decrease in bond energy, and residual charge reversal repels the ion and metabolites and, hence, inhibits their transportation. Such perturbations are likely to be a factor contributing to abnormal functioning of ion channels, resulting cell death and disease.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.291-296
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• 2018

Chemical carcinogenesis is a multistep process. Genotoxic carcinogens, which are DNA-reactive, induce DNA adduct formation and genetic alterations in target cells, thereby generating mutated cells (initiation). Subsequently, preneoplastic lesions appear through clonal proliferation of the mutated cells and transform into tumors (promotion and progression). Many factors may influence these processes in a dose-dependent manner. Therefore, quantitative analysis plays an important role in studies on the carcinogenic threshold of genotoxic carcinogens. Herein, we present data on the relationship between key carcinogenic events and their deriving point of departure (PoD). Their PoDs were also compared to those of the carcinogenesis pathway. In an experiment, the liver of rats exposed to 2-amino-3,8-dimethylimidazo-(4,5-f)quinoxaline (MeIQx) was examined to determine the formation of MeIQx-DNA adducts, generation of mutations at LacI transgene, and induction of preneoplastic glutathione S-transferase placental form (GST-P)-positive foci and tumors (benign and malignant). The PoDs of the above key events in the carcinogenicity of MeIQx were increased as the carcinogenesis advanced; however, these PoDs were lower than those of tumor induction. Thus, the order of key events during tumor induction in the liver was as follows: formation of DNA adducts ${\ll}$ Mutations ${\ll}$ GST-positive foci (preneoplasia) ${\ll}$ Tumor (adenoma and carcinoma). We also obtained similar data on the genotoxic and carcinogenic PoDs of other hepatocarcinogens, such as 2-amino-3,8-dimethylimidazo(4,5-f)quinoline. These results contribute to elucidating the existence of a genotoxic and carcinogenic threshold.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.11 no.sup1
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• pp.72-82
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• 2008

Wilson disease (WD) is an autosomal recessive disorder of copper metabolism that results in accumulation of copper primarily in the liver, the brain and the cornea. Mutations in the WD gene, ATP7B cause failure of copper excretion from hepatocyte into bile and a defective synthesis of ceruloplasmin. More than 370 mutations are now recognized, scattering throughout the ATP7B gene. Since WD has protean clinical presentations, awareness of WD in clinical practice is important for the early diagnosis and prevention of accumulated copper toxicity. None of the laboratory parameters alone allows a definite diagnosis of WD. There are numerous pitfalls in the diagnosis of WD. Low serum ceruloplasmin concentrations, increased 24 hour urinary copper excretion, increased hepatic copper concentrations and the presence of Kayser-Fleischer rings in the cornea are major diagnostic points. A combination of any two of these 4 laboratory findings is strong support for a diagnosis of WD. Molecular methods are now being used to aid diagnosis. Molecular genetic testing has confirmed the diagnosis in individuals in whom the diagnosis is not clearly established biochemically and clinically. Siblings should be screened for WD once an index case has been diagnosed. Discrimination of heterozygotes from asymptomatic patients is essential to avoid inappropriate lifelong therapy for heterozygotes. Genetic testing, either by haplotype analysis or by mutation analysis, is the only reliable tool for differentiating heterozygote carriers from affected asymptomatic patients. Currently, genetic testing is of limited value in the primary diagnosis. However, genetic testing will soon play an essential role in diagnosing WD as rapid advancement of biomedical technology will allow more rapid, easier and less expensive mutation detection.

• Journal of Genetic Medicine
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.179-182
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• 2009

Germline mutations in BRCA1 and BRCA2 confer high risks of breast and ovarian cancer. Among BRCA1- and BRCA2- mutation carriers, the average cumulative risks for ovarian cancer by age 70 years were 39% and 11%, respectively. There are other hereditary cancer syndromes such as Hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer also confer a higher risk for developing ovarian cancer, but over 90% of all hereditary ovarian cancers are thought to be associated with BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations. This report concerns a Korean woman diagnosed with ovarian cancer present with a family history of ovarian and various other cancers, in whom a germline BRCA1 mutation was identified and the same mutation was found in one of two daughters of her's. Since there could be more hereditary ovarian cancer patients in Korean than clinicians thought, both primary and secondary prevention of ovarian cancer based on family history and genetic information is important to reduce cancer incidence and mortality.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.53 no.1
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• pp.43-49
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• 2015

The aim of the study was to explore the possible molecular markers of chloroquine resistance in Plasmodium vivax isolates in Thailand. A total of 30 P. vivax isolates were collected from a malaria endemic area along the Thai-Myanmar border in Mae Sot district of Thailand. Dried blood spot samples were collected for analysis of Pvmdr1 and Pvcrt-o polymorphisms. Blood samples ($100{\mu}l$) were collected by finger-prick for in vitro chloroquine susceptibility testing by schizont maturation inhibition assay. Based on the cut-off $IC_{50}$ of 100 nM, 19 (63.3%) isolates were classified as chloroquine resistant P. vivax isolates. Seven non-synonymous mutations and 2 synonymous were identified in Pvmdr1 gene. Y976F and F1076L mutations were detected in 7 (23.3%) and 16 isolates (53.3%), respectively. Analysis of Pvcrt-o gene revealed that all isolates were wild-type. Our results suggest that chloroquine resistance gene is now spreading in this area. Monitoring of chloroquine resistant molecular markers provide a useful tool for future control of P. vivax malaria.

• BMB Reports
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• v.46 no.5
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• pp.270-275
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• 2013

It is essential to analyze rare mutations in many fields of biomedical research. However, the detection of rare mutations is usually failed due to the interference of predominant wild-type DNA surrounded. Herein we describe a sensitive and facile method of detecting rare point mutation on the basis of allele-specific amplification in emulsion PCR. The identification and selective amplification of rare mutation are accomplished in one-pot reaction. The allele-specific primers coupled on magnetic beads allow the exclusive amplification and enrichment of the mutant amplicons. The productive beads bearing mutant amplicons are subsequently stained with the fluorescent dyes. Thus, the rare point mutations with a percentage as low as 0.1%, can be detected by fluorescent analysis. The relative percentages of mutation among different samples can be roughly accessed by counting the fraction of fluorescent positive beads through flow cytometry.

• BMB Reports
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• v.48 no.5
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• pp.243-248
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• 2015

Mutations in leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) are the most common cause of familial Parkinson's disease (PD). As such, functions and dysfunctions of LRRK2 in PD have been the subject of extensive investigation. In addition to PD, increasing evidence is suggesting that LRRK2 is associated with a wide range of diseases. Genome-wide association studies have implicated LRRK2 in Crohn's disease (CD) and leprosy, and the carriers with pathogenic mutations of LRRK2 show increased risk to develop particular types of cancer. LRRK2 mutations are rarely found in Alzheimer's disease (AD), but LRRK2 might play a part in tauopathies. The association of LRRK2 with the pathogenesis of apparently unrelated diseases remains enigmatic, but it might be related to the yet unknown diverse functions of LRRK2. Here, we reviewed current knowledge on the link between LRRK2 and several diseases, including PD, AD, CD, leprosy, and cancer, and discussed the possibility of targeting LRRK2 in such diseases. [BMB Reports 2015; 48(5): 243-248]

• The Journal of Korean Society of Virology
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.183-193
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• 1999

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) envelope glycoprotein is synthesized as a 160 KDa precursor, gp160, that is cleaved by a cellular protease to form the gp120 and gp41 subunits. Mammalian expression vectors were designed that are capable of efficient expression of various mutant envelope glycoproteins derived from a molecular clone of HIV-1. To construct these vectors, one type of mutation was made at the gp120-gp41 cleavage site by oligonucleotide-directed mutagenesis. And another mutation was made to change amino acids in the membrane spanning region of HIV-1 gp41 important for membrane anchorage. Next, these two mutations were combined to generate a vector to have double mutations in cleavage site and membrane-spanning region. These mutants were transiently expressed in mammalian cells. The effect of these mutations on envelope glycoprotein synthesis, proteolytic processing and secretion was determined. In addition, cell surface expression and ability of the glycoprotein to induce syncytium formation were examined. This study provides a mammalian expression system that is capable of efficient expression and secretion of soluble gp160.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.287-293
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• 2001

A fast and easy PCR-SSCP method was developed and assessed for the early detection of rifampin-resistant Mycobacterium leprae in skin biopsy samples from Korean leprosy patients. The 190 bp of the rpoB gene, in which mutation is known to cause resistance to rifampin, was amplified by PCR and then analyzed by SSCP and DNA sequencing, All PCR products showing mobility shift on PCR-SSCP contained mutations, demonstrating that this method can be used for an early diagnositic method to detect a putative rifampin-resistant M. leprae strain. DNA sequence analysis revealed that 19 of 34 patient samples contained M. leprae strains with missense mutations in the rpoB gene: five were the same mutations previously reported to cause rifampin resistance and eight were the new type of mutatios that likely cause rifampin resistance. These newly identified dmutations, whose all five cytosine bases of four amino acids were substitued with thymine, were found at different sites from those reported in Mycobacterium tuberculosis or M. leprae. Therefore, they may provide additional clues to understand the molecular biological basis on the rifampin resistance of M. leprae.