• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.49 no.1
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• pp.34-39
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• 2006

Purpose : The incidence of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia is twice as high in East Asians as in Caucasians. However, its metabolic basis has not been clearly explained. The UDP-glucuronosyltransferase gene(UGT1A1) mutation was found to be a risk factor of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia. We studied whether neonatal hyperbilirubinemia is associated with the 1828G>A(rs 10929303) polymorphism of the UGT1A1 gene, which encodes for a key enzyme of bilirubin metabolism. Methods : The genomic DNA was isolated from 80 Korean full term neonates who had greater than a 12 mg/dL level of serum bilirubin with no obvious cause, and the genomic DNA was also isolated from 164 Korean neonates of the control population. We studied a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) of 1828G>A in the untranslated region of the UGT1A1 gene by direct sequencing. Results : Three of the 80 neonates with a serum bilirubin level above 12 mg/dL had homozygous mutations and 10 of the 80 neonates with a serum bilirubin level above 12 mg/dL had heterozygous mutations. Thirteen of the 164 neonates of the control group had homozygous mutations and 16 neonates of the control group had heterozygous mutations. The allele frequency of 1828G>A polymorphism of UGT1A1 in the hyperbilirubinemia group was 10.0 percent, which was not significantly different from the allele frequency of 12.8 percent in the control group. Conclusion : In this study, the 1828G>A polymorphism of the UGT1A1 gene was detected in the Korean neonates with neonatal hyperbilirubinemia. Our results indicated that this SNP is not associated with the prevalence of hyperbilirubinemia in Koreans.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.46 no.4
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• pp.340-344
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• 2003

Purpose : We evaluated allele frequencies and distribution of surfactant protein A2(SP-A2) in Korean neonates in order to estimate the prevalence of RDS, to find out new SP-A alleles, and to establish new steroid therapy. Methods : Genomic DNA was extracted from 71 neonates and served as a template in PCR for genotype analysis. SP-A gene-specific amplications and gene-specific allele determinations were performed using PCR-cRFLP methods. Results : The distribution for the alleles of the SP-A2 gene in the study population was 1A, $1A^0$, $1A^1$, $1A^2$, $1A^3$, $1A^5$, $1A^6$, $1A^7$, $1A^8$, $1A^9$, $1A^{11}$, $1A^{12}$. The specific frequencies for the alleles of the SP-A2 gene in the study population were : 1A=11.3%, $1A^0=38%$, $1A^1=12.7%$, $1A^2=9.2%$, $1A^5=15.5%$, $1A^7=2.9%$, $1A^8=4.9%$, $1A^9=2.2%$, others=3.3%. Conclusion : The frequency of $1A^0$ was higher than the other SP-A2 alleles in Korean neonates. This finding suggests that the prevalence of RDS in Korea may be low compared with other countries. However, this finding also suggests that Korean neonates have a high risk of infection.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.129-136
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• 1992

As it has been reported that the depolarization-induced acetylcholine (ACh) release is modulated by activation of presynaptic $A_1-adenosine$ heteroreceptor in hippocampus and various lines of evidence indicate the involvement of adenylate cyclase system in $A_1-adenosine$ post-receptor mechanism in hippocampus, it was attempted to delineate the role of adenylate cyclase system in the $A_1-receptor-mediated$ control of ACh release in this study. Slices from rat hippocampus were incubated with $[^3H]-choline$ and the release of the labelled products was evoked by electrical stimulation $(3\;Hz,\;5\;Vcm^{-1},\;2\;ms,\;rectangular\;pulses)$, and the influence of various agents on the evoked tritium-outflow was investigated. $N^6-cyclopentyladenosine$ (CPA), a specific $A_1-adenosine$ receptor agonist, in concentrations ranging from 0.1 to $10\;{\mu}M$, decreased the $[^3H]-ACh$ release in a dose-dependent manner without the changes of basal rate of release. 8-cyclopentyl-1,3-dipropylxanthine $(DPCPX,\;1{\sim}10\;{\mu}M)$, a selective $A_1-receptor$ antagonist, increased the $[^3H]-ACh$ release in a dose-related fashion with slight increase of basal tritium-release. And the CPA effects were significantly inhibited by DPCPX $(2\;{\mu}M)$ pretreatment and the dose-response curve produced by CPA was shifted to the right. The responses to N-ethylmaleimide $(NEM,\;10\;&\;30\;{\mu}M)$, a SH-alkylating agent of G-protein, were characterized by increments of the evoked ACh-release and the basal release, and the CPA effect were completely abolished by NEM pretreatment. Forskolin, a specific adenylate cyclase activator, in concentrations ranging from 0.3 to $10\;{\mu}M$, increased the evoked ACh-release in a dose-dependent manner and the CPA effects were inhibited by forskolin. These results indicate that the $A_1-adenosine$ heteroreceptor plays an important role in ACh-release via nucleotide-binding protein Gi in the rat hippocampus and that the adenylate cyclase system might be participated in this process.

• Journal of Sericultural and Entomological Science
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• v.51 no.2
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• pp.211-217
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• 2013

In general, the mean silkmoth lifespan is around 8 days for female and 5 days for male. But, the duration of J037 strain's lifespan is remarkably long in both sexes. On the contrary, the Daizo(sdi) strain has a remarkably short lifetime. The differences in adult lifetime among various silkworm strains has been suggested that the adult lifetime may be genetically controlled. In this experiment, using J037 and Daizo strains we investigated genetic factors related to the adult lifetime of silkworm. We constructed the full-length cDNA library from the adult male of the J037 strain. A total of 2,688 clones were randomly selected, and we performed a differential display hybridization with cDNA probes generated from J037 and Daizo adult males. In conclusion, 193 clones were identified as differential expressed genes, and 154 unique genes were generated after the assembly of 193 clones. Of the 154 unique genes, the most abundant genes were cytochrome oxidase subunit-1 gene(9 times) and unknown(clone ID; 1-50) gene(5 times). The functional groups of these unique genes with matches in the AmiGo database were constructed according to their putative molecular functions. Among thirteen functional categories, the largest group was unclassified protein(24%). In addition, we analyzed the nucleotide and deduced amino acid sequences of the most highly occurred gene(1-50, EF434397), which consisted of 240 amino acids. However, it is confirmed yet that these genes really have an affected on the silkworms longevity. Further studies on these molecules biological roles will give us well-fined information about mechanisms of insect aging and/or scenesence.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.79-88
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• 1998

This study was performed in order to apply to effective breeding of Korean native cattle on the molecular genetic level obtained from PCR and nucleotide sequencing analysis of BoLA DRB3 exon2 that has important roles in host immune defence. Genomic DNA used in this study was prepared from the blood of Korean native cattle in Korean Native Cattle Improvement Center of National Livestock Cooperation. The results obtained from this study are summarized as follows: 1. Genomic DNA extracted from the blood of Korean native cattle was subjected to electrophoresis on 1.5% agarose gel. Major band was bigger than 12.2kb, indicating that genomic DNA was well prepared for PCR. Amplified products of 284bp fragments was obtained the amplification of BoLA DRB3 exon2 gene by PCR. 2. Cloning of BoLA DRB3 exon2 of Korean native cattle with pCR2.1 vector was conformed by 300bp fragment from recombinent plasmid that restricted with enzyme digestion of EcoRI. 3. Homology of BoLA DRB3 exon2 alleles of parent was 82.0% between sire's alleles and 90.1% between dam's alleles. 4. In pedigree analysis using BoLA DRB3 exon2 gene, sequencing result of BoLA DRB3 exon2 genes showed inheritance by Mendelian mode through the parents to their offspring. 5. Taking together those experimental results, pedigree was confirmed on the basis of sequencing for the alleles of parents and offspring. This knowledge by the molecular biological approach could be served for the improvement of Korean native cattle.

• Sleep Medicine and Psychophysiology
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.25-29
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• 2015

Objectives: The pathophysiology of restless legs syndrome (RLS) has not been fully elucidated. Oxidative stress might play a role in the development of RLS and other antipsychotic-induced side effects such as tardive dyskinesia. In the present study, we investigated whether the glutathione S-transferase (GST) gene polymorphisms are associated with antipsychotic-induced RLS in schizophrenia. Methods: We assessed antipsychotic-induced RLS symptoms in 190 Korean schizophrenic patients using the diagnostic criteria of the International Restless Legs Syndrome Study Group. The GST-M1, GST-T1 and GST-P1 loci were analyzed using PCR-based methods. Results: We divided the subjects into 2 groups: those with RLS symptoms (n = 96) and those without RLS symptoms (n = 94). There were no significant differences in the distributions of the GST-M1 genotypes (${\chi}^2=3.56$, p = 0.059), GST-T1 (${\chi}^2=0.51$, p = 0.476) and GST-P1 (${\chi}^2=0.57$, p = 0.821) between the 2 groups. Comparison of the RLS score among genotypes of the GST-M1 (t = -1.54, p = 0.125), GST-T1 (t = -0.02, p = 0.985) and GST-P1 (F = 0.58, p = 0.560) revealed no significant difference. Conclusion: These data suggest that GST gene polymorphisms do not confer increased susceptibility to RLS symptoms in schizophrenic patients. Future studies are necessary to evaluate the possible influences of other candidate genes involved in the reactive oxygen species system.

• Korean Journal of Ichthyology
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.1-9
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• 2011

Differentially Expressed Gene (DEG) was obtained from Differential Display Reverse Transcription (DDRT)-PCR using Annealing Control Primer (ACP) to search and clone genes related to developmental stages of Sebastes inermis. By using 120 ACPs, the nucleotide sequences obtained from 16 DEGs showing higher expression in 6-month-old skeletal muscle than 18-month-old ones and from 22 DEGs displaying stronger expression in 18-month-old than 6-month-old were analyzed and BLAST was conducted. The results identified that DEGs shared 69~95% homology with genes of parvalbumin (PVALB), nucleoside diphosphate kinase (NDK) B, tropomyosin (TPM), troponin I (TnI), glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), muscle-type creatine kinase (CKM2), small EDRK-rich factor 2 (SERF2), adenosine monophosphate deaminase (AMPD), Trimeric intracellular cation channel type A (TRICA), Rho GTPase-activating protein 15 (ARHGAP15), S-formylglutathione hydrolase (Esterase D; ESD), heat shock protein 70 (hsp70), type 1 collagen alpha 2 (COL1A2), glutathione S-transferase, Mid1-interacting protein 1 (Mid1lip1), myosin light chain 1 (MYL1), sarcoplasmic/endoplasmic reticulum calcium ATPase 1B (SERCA1B), and ferritin heavy subunit (FTH1). Expression pattern by developmental stage of DEG14 and PVALB exhibiting strong expression in 6-month-old skeletal muscle was investigated using real time PCR. Expression was reduced as Sebastes inermis grew. Expression of PVALB gene was extremely low after 6 months of age. Expression of CKM2 showed higher expression in 18-month-old skeletal muscle than in 6-month-old muscles, and increased continuously until 4 years old, after which CKM2 expression became gradually reduced. By analysis of tissue-specific expression patterns of DEG, DEG14 was expressed mainly in skeletal muscle, liver, kidney and spleen tissues, whereas PVALB expression was expressed in skeletal muscle and kidney, but not in liver and spleen tissues. CKM2 was expressed in skeletal muscle, kidney, and spleen tissues, but not in liver tissues. PVALB gene was composed of 110 amino acids, which constituted 659 bp nucleotides. The results reported here demonstrate that the expression patterns of parvalbumin and CKM2 could be used as molecular markers for selecting fishes exhibiting fast growth.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.38 no.9
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• pp.1210-1214
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• 2009

Early postmortem ATP level is known as a good predictor of pork quality. Pork carcasses were divided into two; one was electrically stimulated (ES) to simulate poor quality pork and the other was left untreated and served as a control normal pork. Fractions of longissimus were excised from carcasses regularly for 2 hours after death and deep-frozen ($-80^{\circ}C$) until analyses. The ATP level of normal untreated control pork decreased from 5.00 to 2.04 ${\mu}mole$/g within 2 hours postmortem. The decrement of ATP was approximately 60% of its initial content. In the meantime, ES poor quality pork had a more drastic rate of ATP decrease. Electrical stimulation itself decreased ATP level from 4.70 to 3.50 ${\mu}mole$/g, by approximately 25%. ATP level of ES pork dropped to 1.71 ${\mu}mole$/g within 1 hour postmortem and was further plunged to 0.26 ${\mu}mole$/g and almost exhausted during the next hour. The level of IMP increased from 0.49 to 3.17 ${\mu}mole$/g and it became the dominant nucleotide within 2 hours postmortem. Electrical stimulation prompted the increase of IMP from 0.69 to 3.19 ${\mu}mole$/g and its level went up to 6.64 ${\mu}mole$/g within 2 hours postmortem. The level of ADP also decreased from 1.45 to 0.67 ${\mu}mole$/g for 2 hours after death and ES also accelerated ADP breakdown. The AMP levels were lower than those of other nucleotides and increased from 0.16 to 0.31 ${\mu}mole$/g within 2 hours postmortem. The increase of AMP was accelerated between 60 and 90 minutes after electrical stimulation. Early postmortem electrical stimulation prompted a drastic rate of changes in contents of 4 nucleotides during 2 hours postmortem. In the meantime, the ATP levels for ES poor quality pork were much lower than those of normal pork.

• Journal of Genetic Medicine
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.26-33
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• 2008

Purpose : Phenylketonuria(PKU) is an inborn error of metabolism and a genetic disorder resulting from a deficiency of phenylalanine hydroxylase(PAH) and decreased activity of tetrahydrobiopterin(BH4).In this study the correlation between the DNA mutation and clinical manifestations was investigated and PAH DNA mutations were compared bewteen Asian and Caucasian populations. Methods : DNA was isolated from peripheral leukocytes. The PAH gene was amplified by Polymerase Chain Reaction(PCR) and the sequence was analyzed with Multiplex Ligation-dependent Probe Amplification(MLPA). Results : We characterized the PAH gene of 102 independent Korean patients with PKU. PAH nucleotide sequence analysis revealed 44 different mutations, including 10 novel mutations comprising 9 missense mutations(N207D, K95del, A447P, G344D, P69S, S391I, A202T, G103S, and I306L) and 1 novel splice-site variant mutation(IVS10-3C>G). R243Q was the most prevalent mutation in this study. A259T has not previously been reported in Asian populations, but we found that this mutation had a frequency of 10.1% in our study. Furthermore, the genotypes of $BH_4$ responsive patients were analyzed and were divided into two groups: $BH_4$ medication-only group and $BH_4$ medication with diet therapy group. In the $BH_4$ medication-only group and $BH_4$ medication with diet therapy group, R241C was the most common mutation. Conclusion : Novel mutations in the PAH gene of PKU patients are still being discovered. Additional information as to the frequency of mutations in the tetrahydrobiopterine responsive gene is also accumulating. We anticipate that knowledge of these PKU gene mutations will assist the diagnosis, genetic counseling, and therapeutic treatment of PKU patients in future.

• Journal of Genetic Medicine
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.105-110
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• 2008

Purpose: Preecalmpsia is a pregnancy-specific disorder that reflects widespread endothelial dysfunction resulting from increases of adhesion molecule expression. Intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) is involved in the pathogenetic mechanisms responsible for preeclampsia, and ICAM-1 plasma levels and/or function is genetically influenced. Therefore, we evaluated the distribution of ICAM-1 gene K469E polymorphism in pregnant Korean women with preeclampsia and evaluated the association between this polymorphism and preeclampsia. Methods: The K469E polymorphism was analyzed in peripheral blood samples from 197 preeclamptic pregnancies and 193 normotensive pregnancies by a SNapShot kit and an ABI Prism 3100 Genetic analyzer. Results: Genotypic and allelic frequencies of ICAM-1 gene polymorphism (K469E) did not differ between preeclamptic and normotensive pregnancies. The distributions of the KK, KE, and EE genotypes were 40.6%, 43.7%, and 15.7%, respectively, in preeclamptic pregnancies and 38.9%, 45.1%, and 16.1%, respectively, in normotensive pregnancies. The frequencies of K and E alleles were 0.62 and 0.38, respectively, in preeclamptic pregnancies and 0.61 and 0.39, respectively, in normotensive pregnancies. By multiple logistic regression analysis, there was no increased risk of preeclampsia in subjects with ICAM-1 KE (OR, 1.08; P=0.74) or EE (OR, 1.07; P=0.88) genotypes. Conclusion: This study suggests that the ICAM-1 gene K469E polymorphism does not associate with an increased risk of preeclampsia in pregnant Korean women.