• The Korean Journal of Malacology
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.223-230
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• 2009

Metallothioneins (MTs) play a key role in metallic homeostasis and detoxification in most living organisms. In an attempt to study the biological functions and significance of MT in a snail, we cloned and partially characterized the MT gene from the left-handed snail, Physa acutawhich has been regarded as a potential biomonitering species for fresh water. The complete cDNA sequence of PaMT cDNA was identified from the expressed sequence tag (EST) sequencing project of Physa acuta. The coding region of 180 bp gives 60 amino acid residues including the initiation methionine and termination codon. Clustering and phylogenic analysis of PaMT with other MT amino acid sequences show that it has some identities to Helix pomatia (60%), Arianta arbustorum (58%), Perna viridis (49%), Mytilus edulis (49%), Bathymodiolus azoricus (49%), Bathymodiolus azoricus (48%) and Bathymodiolus sp. FD-2002 (48%). Time dependent induction for PaMT from P. acuta exposed with cadmium (50 ppb) indicated that PaMT was induced at 4-8 hr after exposure. It remains to further develop PaMTas a potential biomarker for water contamination in fresh water.

• Korean Journal of Plant Taxonomy
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.7-23
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• 2005

Molecular phylogenetic studies were conducted to evaluate interspecific relationships in 40 populations of Viola including 35 Korean taxa, four Japanese populations and one outgroup using nuclear ribosomal ITS sequences. The phylogenetic analyses were conducted using parsimony and neighbor-joining methods. Subsection Trigonocarpae of section Nomimium appeared as the most basal clade within the Korean Viola. Section Dischidium and Chamaemelanium was monophyletidbootstrap 100%) and placed between subsect. Trigonocarpae and three other subsections of sect. Nomimium. Sect. Nomimium was paraphyletic. Although each subsectional grouping was in accordance with previous infrageneric classification based on morphological characters, yet discordance remained at the series level. Two evolutionary trends observed in the ITS tree were as follows. First, subsect. Trigonocarpae(x=10) was derived from the outgroup(x=6); Second, subsects. Bilobatae and Vaginatae(x=10 or 12), and subsect. Patellares(x=12) of sect. Nomimium were originated from sects. Dischidium and Chamaemelanium(x=6). Viola albida complex including three very closely related taxa was recognized as independent group within subsect. Patellares in parsimony tree. This result suggested that they should be treated as a taxa in series Pinnatae. Phylogenetic position of a putative hybrid species, Viola woosanensis was not supported with previous morphological hypothesis.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.31 no.4 s.54
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• pp.323-327
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• 2005

Although many studies have been performed to elucidate the molecular consequence of ultraviolet irradiation on an aging, little is known about the effect of natural products. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) we known to play an important role in (a) photoaging. Hete we investigated the effect of $1,2,4,6-tetra-O-galloyl-{\beta}-{_D}-gluco- pyranose (1)$ and 3,4,5-trihydroxybenzoic acid (2) on the expression of MMP-1 in UVA-irradiated human skin fibroblasts (products), (on the) activity of MMP-1, and (on the) scavenging activities of free radicals. Compounds 1 and 2 were isolated from Melothria heterophylla (Cucurbitaceae). These compounds were found to scavenge free radicals and reactive oxygen species (ROS) and were measured to have the $SC_{50}$ values of $3.9{\mu}M\;and\;13.3{\mu}M$ against the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radicals and $4.3{\mu}M\;and\; 4.0{\mu}M$ against superoxide radicals in the xanthine/xanthine oxidase system, respectively. Compounds 1 and 2 showed a dose-dependent inhibitory effect on the e):pression and activity of MMP-1 in the UVA-irradiated human skin fibroblasts. Therefore, we concluded that compounds 1 and 2 significantly inhibited MMP-1 expression at the protein level. Also, these compounds were determined to have a potent antioxidant activity. From these results, we suggest that these compounds nay be used as (a) new anti-aging agents for the photo-damaged skin.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.227-238
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• 2004

Rhododendron micranthum is an endangered species in Korea. In order to develop the strategy of gene diversity conservation, estimation of the amount of genetic diversity, the genetic variation and relationship in the native populations of Rh. micranthum was performed on the basis of AFLP and RAPD analysis. Analysis of 56 accessions derived from 6 populations of Rh. micranthum with four AFLP primer combinations and ten RAPD primers detected a total of 33 polymorphic AFLP fragments and 15 polymorphic RAPD fragments, respectively. By UPGMA cluster analysis with molecular markers, the 56 accessions were grouped into three major clusters at 73.3% genetic similarity; group I consists of most accessions of populations I, II, IV, V and Ⅵ, group II consists of 7 accessions of population III, and group III consists of only two accessions of population IV. The geographic locations of the most accessions derived from six populations were not related to their position in the UPGMA cluster analysis, except for several accessions of populations III and IV. The genetic similarity of among six populations measured by AFLP and RAPD markers ranged from 0.66 to 0.99. Among them, population Ⅵ showed the highest GS with means of 0.87, while population I showed the lowest GS with means of 0.78. This result will be useful for designing the strategy of conservation in the native populations of Rh. micranthum.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.34 no.10
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• pp.1590-1599
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• 2021

Objective: This study investigates the expression patterns of toll-like receptors (TLRs) and intracellular mediators in horse muscle cells after exercise, and the relationship between TLRS expression in stressed horse muscle cells and immune cell migration toward them. Methods: The expression patterns of the TLRs (TLR2, TLR4, and TLR8) and downstream signaling pathway-related genes (myeloid differentiation primary response 88 [MYD88]; activating transcription factor 3 [ATF3]) are examined in horse tissues, and horse peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), polymorphonuclear cells (PMNs) and muscles in response to exercise, using the quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Expressions of chemokine receptor genes, i.e., C-X-C motif chemokine receptor 2 (CXCR2) and C-C motif chemokine receptor 5 (CCR5), are studied in PBMCs and PMNs. A horse muscle cell line is developed by transfecting SV-T antigen into fetal muscle cells, followed by examination of muscle-specific genes. Horse muscle cells are treated with stressors, i.e., cortisol, hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), and heat, to mimic stress conditions in vitro, and the expression of TLR4 and TLR8 are examined in stressed muscle cells, in addition to migration activity of PBMCs toward stressed muscle cells. Results: The qPCR revealed that TLR4 message was expressed in cerebrum, cerebellum, thymus, lung, liver, kidney, and muscle, whereas TLR8 expressed in thymus, lung, and kidney, while TLR2 expressed in thymus, lung, and kidney. Expressions of TLRs, i.e., TLR4 and TLR8, and mediators, i.e., MYD88 and ATF3, were upregulated in muscle, PBMCs and PMNs in response to exercise. Expressions of CXCR2 and CCR5 were also upregulated in PBMCs and PMNs after exercise. In the muscle cell line, TLR4 and TLR8 expressions were upregulated when cells were treated with stressors such as cortisol, H₂O₂, and heat. Migration of PBMCs toward stressed muscle cells was increased by exercise and oxidative stresses, and combinations of these. Treatment with methylsulfonylmethane (MSM), an antioxidant on stressed muscle cells, reduced migration of PBMCs toward stressed muscle cells. Conclusion: In this study, we have successfully cultured horse skeletal muscle cells, isolated horse PBMCs, and established an in vitro system for studying stress-related gene expressions and function. Expression of TLR4, TLR8, CXCR2, and CCR5 in horse muscle cells was higher in response to stressors such as cortisol, H₂O₂, and heat, or combinations of these. In addition, migration of PBMCs toward muscle cells was increased when muscle cells were under stress, but inhibition of reactive oxygen species by MSM modulated migratory activity of PBMCs to stressed muscle cells. Further study is necessary to investigate the biological function(s) of the TLR gene family in horse muscle cells.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.55 no.2
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• pp.103-111
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• 2019

DNA methylation is involved in diverse processes in bacteria, including maintenance of genome integrity and regulation of gene expression. CcrM, the DNA methyltransferase conserved in Alphaproteobacterial species, carries out $N^6$-adenine or $N^4$-cytosine methyltransferase activities using S-adenosyl methionine as a co-substrate. Celeribacter marinus IMCC12053 from the Alphaproteobacterial group was isolated from a marine environment. Single molecule real-time sequencing method (SMRT) was used to detect the methylation patterns of C. marinus IMCC12053. Gibbs motif sampler program was used to observe the conversion of adenosine of 5'-GANTC-3' to $N^6$-methyladenosine and conversion of $N^4$-cytosine of 5'-GpC-3' to $N^4$-methylcytosine. Exocyclic DNA methyltransferase from the genome of strain IMCC12053 was chosen using phylogenetic analysis and $N^4$-cytosine methyltransferase was cloned. IPTG inducer was used to confirm the methylation activity of DNA methylase, and cloned into a pQE30 vector using dam-/dcm- E. coli as the expression host. The genomic DNA and the plasmid carrying methylase-encoding sequences were extracted and cleaved with restriction enzymes that were sensitive to methylation, to confirm the methylation activity. These methylases protected the restriction enzyme site once IPTG-induced methylases methylated the chromosome and plasmid, harboring the DNA methylase. In this study, cloned exocyclic DNA methylases were investigated for potential use as a novel type of GpC methylase for molecular biology and epigenetics.

• Proceedings of the Plant Resources Society of Korea Conference
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• 2019.04a
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• pp.113-113
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• 2019

Diallyl trisulfide (DATS) is an organic polysulfide compound found in garlic. Although certain studies have demonstrated that DATS possesses strong anti-inflammatory activity, the underlying molecular mechanisms remain largely unresolved. In this study, we examined whether DATS exerts anti-inflammatory activity and investigated the possible mechanisms. Our results indicated that DATS significantly suppressed the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced release of nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin E2 by inhibiting inducible NO synthase and cyclooxygenase-2 expression at the transcriptional and post-transcriptional levels in RAW 264.7 macrophages. DATS also down-regulated Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and myeloid differentiation factor 88 expression, and inhibited nuclear translocation of nuclear transcription factor-kappa B (NF-${\kappa}B$) in LPS-stimulated 264.7 macrophages. Furthermore, we found that these inhibitory effects of DATS were associated with the inhibition of chemokine receptor (CXCR4) and ligand (CXCL12) expression, and reactive oxygen species generation. Overall, the present data indicated that DATS had anti-inflammatory effects on LPS-activated macrophages, possibly via inhibiting the TLR4/NF-kB and/or chemokine signaling pathways, and DATS could be a potential drug therapy for inflammation and its associated diseases.

• The Plant Pathology Journal
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.381-388
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• 2019

For several years, temperatures in the Korean peninsula have gradually increased due to climate change, resulting in a changing environment for growth of crops and vegetables. An associated consequence is that emerging species of insect vector have caused increased viral transmission. In Jeju Island, Korea, occurrences of viral disease have increased. Here, we report characterization of five newly collected turnip mosaic virus (TuMV) isolates named KBJ1, KBJ2, KBJ3, KBJ4 and KBJ5 from a survey on Jeju Island in 2017. Full-length cDNAs of each isolate were cloned into the pJY vector downstream of cauliflower mosaic virus 35S and bacteriophage T7 RNA polymerase promoters. Their fulllength sequences share 98.9-99.9% nucleotide sequence identity and were most closely related to previously reported Korean TuMV isolates. All isolates belonged to the BR group and infected both Chinese cabbage and radish. Four isolates induced very mild symptoms in Nicotiana benthamiana but KBJ5 induced a hypersensitive response. Symptom differences may result from three amino acid differences uniquely present in KBJ5; Gly(382)Asp, Ile(891)Val, and Lys(2522)Glu in P1, P3, and NIb, respectively.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.72-81
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• 2019

Bisphenol A (BPA), a representative endocrine disrupting chemicals, has adverse effects on growth, development and reproduction in aquatic organisms. The object of this study was to investigate the modulation of antioxidant enzyme-coding genes using quantitative real time RT-PCR (qRT-PCR), enzyme activity and total protein content, to understand oxidative stress responses after exposure to BPA for 48 h in brackish water flea Diaphanosoma celebensis. The BPA ($3mg\;L^{-1}$) significantly upregulated the expression of Cu/Zn-SOD, Mn-SOD, and catalase (CAT) mRNA. Three GST isoforms (GST-kappa, GST-mu, and GST-theta) mRNA levels significantly increased at the rate of $0.12mg\;L^{-1}$ of BPA. In particular, GST-mu showed the highest expression level, indicating its key role in antioxidant response to BPA. SOD activity was induced with a concentration-dependent manner, and total protein contents was reduced. These findings indicate that BPA can induce oxidative stress in this species, and these antioxidants may be involved in cellular protection against BPA exposure. This study will provide a better understanding of molecular mode of action of BPA toxicity in aquatic organisms.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.31-41
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• 2019

The toxic dinoflagellate Gymnodinium catenatum isolated from the southern coast of Korea was described under light and scanning electron microscopy, and its large subunit (LSU) rDNA was sequenced. In addition, the effects of temperature and salinity on its growth were investigated. The cells of G. catenatum, as viewed under the electronic microscope, were green-brown color, $38.1-77.4{\mu}m$ in length and $26.1-40.8{\mu}m$ in width. The epicone was conical, while the hypocone was trapezoidal. The nucleus was located at the central part of the cell. The apical groove was horseshoe-shaped and small pores were irregularly distributed on the cell surface. Molecular phylogeny based on LSU rDNA gene sequences showed that the Korean G. catenatum and previously reported species formed a monophyletic clade within Gymnodinium sensu stricto clade. The maximum growth rate of $0.37day^{-1}$, was obtained at $25^{\circ}C$ and 35 psu, and the maximum cell density of $1,073cells\;mL^{-1}$, was observed at $20^{\circ}C$ and 25 psu. However, G. catenatum did not grow at temperature < $15^{\circ}C$ and < $30^{\circ}C$. These results suggest that environmental conditions of summer and autumn in the southern coast of Korea may be favorable for the growth of G. catenatum.