• 생물정신의학
• /
• 제9권1호
• /
• pp.62-67
• /
• 2002

본 연구에서는 정신분열병과 antioxidant defense system사이의 관련성을 알아보기 위해 항산화 효소(antioxidant enzyme)중의 하나인 CAT의 유전자 다형성을 한국인 정신분열병 환자군과 대조군 사이에서 비교 분석하였다. 환자군과 대조군의 HinfI 다형성에 따른 CAT유전자형과 대립유전자형의 빈도는 통계적으로 유의한 차이는 없었지만, 여성 정신분열병 환자군과 여성 대조군 사이의 유전자형 빈도에서는 통계적으로 유의한 차이를 나타내었다. 연구결과 CAT유전자가 여성 정신분열병과 관련이 있을 수 있다는 가능성이 제시된다.

• The Plant Pathology Journal
• /
• 제23권2호
• /
• pp.51-56
• /
• 2007

A plant pathogenic fungus, Gibberella zeae (anamorph: Fusarium graminearum), not only generates economic losses by causing disease on cereal grains, but also leads to severe toxicosis in human and animals through the production of mycotoxins in infected plants. Here, we characterized a histidine auxotrophic mutant of G. zeae, designated Z43R1092, which was generated using a restriction enzyme-mediated integration (REMI) procedure. The mutant exhibited pleiotropic phenotypic changes, including a reduction in mycelial growth and virulence and loss of sexual reproduction. Outcrossing analysis confirmed that the histidine auxotrophy is linked to the insertional vector in Z43R1092. Molecular analysis showed that the histidine requirement of Z43R1092 is caused by a disruption of an open reading frame, designated GzHIS7. The deduced product of GzHIS7 encodes a putative enzyme with an N-terminal glutamine amidotransferase and a C-terminal cyclase domain, similar to the Saccharomyces cerevisiae HIS7 required for histidine biosynthesis. The subsequent gene deletion and complementation analyses confirmed the functions of GzHIS7 in G. zeae. This is the first report of the molecular characterization of histidine auxotrophy in G. zeae, and our results demonstrate that correct histidine biosynthesis is essential for virulence, as well as sexual development, in G. zeae. In addition, our results could provide a G. zeae histidine auxotroph as a recipient strain for genetic transformation using this new selectable marker.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
• /
• 제33권3호
• /
• pp.261-270
• /
• 2010

Increasing atmospheric $CO_2$ affects the soil carbon cycle by influencing microbial activity and the carbon pool. In this study, the effects of elevated $CO_2$ on extracellular enzyme activities (EEA; ${\beta}$-glucosidase, N-acetylglucosaminidase, aminopeptidase) in salt marsh sediment vegetated with Suaeda japonica were assessed under ambient atmospheric $CO_2$ concentration (380 ppm) or elevated $CO_2$ concentration (760 ppm) conditions. Additionally, the community structure of sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) was analyzed via terminal restriction fragments length polymorphism (T-RFLP). Sediment with S. japonica samples were collected from the Hwangsando intertidal flat in May 2005, and placed in small pots (diameter 6 cm, height 10 cm). The pots were incubated for 60 days in a growth chamber under two different $CO_2$ concentration conditions. Sediment samples for all measurements were subdivided into two parts: surface (0-2 cm) and rhizome (4-6 cm) soils. No significant differences were detected in EEA with different $CO_2$ treatments in the surface and rhizome soils. However, the ratio of ${\beta}$-glucosidase activity to N-acetylglucosaminidase activity in rhizome soil was significantly lower (P < 0.01) at 760 ppm $CO_2$ than at 380 ppm $CO_2$, thereby suggesting that the contribution of fungi to the decomposition of soil organic matter might in some cases prove larger than that of bacteria. Community structures of SRB were separated according to different $CO_2$ treatments, suggesting that elevated $CO_2$ may affect the carbon and sulfur cycle in salt marshes.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
• /
• 제49권2호
• /
• pp.72-79
• /
• 2016

Purpose: The initiation of mandatory folic acid fortification using pteroylmonoglutamic acid (PteGlu) has reduced the rate of congenital malformations. However, it also appears to be responsible for several adverse effects, including increased cancer incidence. This may be related to physicho-chemical characteristics of PteGlu. This study examines the potential effect of high concentrations of PteGlu on a population subjected to mandatory folic acid fortification using an in vitro model. Methods: Caco-2 (colorectal cancer) and MCF7 (breast cancer) cell lines were cultured at 6 different PteGlu concentrations (0, 0.1, 1, 50, 250, and $500{\mu}g/ml$) for 6 days. Cell growth was determined using thiazolyl blue tetrazolium bromide assay. The genotype of dihydrofolate reductase 19bp deletion/insertion (DHFR 19-del) was also scored in cell lines using a restriction fragment length polymorphism technique to examine whether genetic variations may factor in cell proliferation. Results: PteGlu exhibited differential growth promoting properties between cell lines. Caco-2 cells did not show a significant growth difference at low concentrations compared to control, however, at higher concentrations, the growth showed a contrasting trend in the early experimental period, while MCF7 showed enhanced cell growth at all concentrations. The DHFR 19-del genotype differed in the two cell lines. Conclusions: Altered response to PteGlu by Caco-2 and MCF7 may reflect a tissue specific disease aetiology or genotype specific differential enzyme activity, for example by DHFR, to critical levels of PteGlu. As folic acid fortification is a blanket intervention, and DHFR and other enzyme activities vary between individuals, PteGlu intake may have an as yet undefined effect on health. These findings may be relevant when considering mandatory folic acid fortification for disease prevention.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• 제16권4호
• /
• pp.1615-1619
• /
• 2015

Background: Promoter hypermethylation mediated gene silencing of tumor suppressor genes is considered as most frequent mechanism than genetic aberrations such as mutations in the development of cancers. BRD7 is a single bromodomain containing protein that functions as a subunit of SWI/SNF chromatin-remodeling complex to regulate transcription. It also interacts with the well know tumor suppressor protein p53 to trans-activate genes involved in cell cycle arrest. Loss of expression of BRD7 has been observed in breast cancers and nasopharyngeal carcinomas due to promoter hypermethylation. However, the genetic status of BRD7 in oral squamous cell carcinomas (OSCCs) is not known, although OSCC is one of the most common among all reported cancers in the Indian population. Hence, in the present study we investigated OSCC samples to determine the occurrence of hypermethylation in the promoter region of BRD7 and understand its prevalence. Materials and Methods: Genomic DNA extracted from biopsy tissues of twenty three oral squamous cell carcinomas were digested with methylation sensitive HpaII type2 restriction enzyme that recognizes and cuts unmethylated CCGG motifs. The digested DNA samples were amplified with primers flanking the CCGG motifs in promoter region of BRD7 gene. The PCR amplified products were analyzed by agarose gel electrophoresis along with undigested amplification control. Results: Methylation sensitive enzyme technique identified methylation of BRD7 promoter region seventeen out of twenty three (74%) well differentiated oral squamous cell carcinoma samples. Conclusions: The identification of BRD7 promoter hypermethylation in 74% of well differentiated oral squamous cell carcinomas indicates that the methylation dependent silencing of BRD7 gene is a frequent event in carcinogenesis. To the best of our knowledge, the present study is the first to report the occurrence of BRD7and its high prevalence in oral squamous cell carcinomas.

• BMB Reports
• /
• 제31권2호
• /
• pp.149-155
• /
• 1998

The N199H variant of the EcoRI endonuclease has about twice the catalytic activity of the wild-type. A comparison of their biochemical characteristics, using synthetic oligonucleotides 5'-dAAAACTTAAGAAAAAAAAAAA-3' (KA) and 5'-dTTTTTGAATTCTTTTTTTTTT-3' (KT), helps to define the cleavage reaction pathway of these enzymes. Both EcoRI and EcoRI variant N199H were found to cleave singlestranded KA or KT about three times faster than the double-stranded forms, although the KT oligonucleotide was more susceptible. Using the ssDNA substrate in kinetic analyses, lower $K_m$ values were obtained for the N199H variant than for the wild-type at low (50 mM), as well as high (200 mM), sodium chloride concentrations. This difference between the endonucleases is attributed to a grealter accessibility for tbe substrate by the variant, and also a higher affinity for the DNA backbone. It also appears that the relative activities of the two enzymes, particularly at high ionic strength, are proportional to their populations in the monomeric enzyme form. That is, according to gel filtration data, half of the N199H molecules exist as monomers in 200 mM NaCl, whereas those of the wild-type are mainly dimeric. Consequently, the Asp199 residue of the EcoRI endonuclease may be implicated in the protein-protein interaction leading to dimerization, as well as in coupling to DNA substrates. In summary, it is proposed that active monomeric endonuclease molecules, derived from the dimeric enzyme, recognize and form a complex with a single stranded form of the DNA substrate, which then undergoes nucleophilic substitution and cleavage.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
• /
• 제42권5호
• /
• pp.151-157
• /
• 2012

Purpose: Cyclooxygenase (COX) enzyme catalyzes the production of prostaglandins, which are important mediators of tissue destruction in periodontitis. Single nucleotide polymorphisms of $COX_2$ enzyme have been associated with increasing susceptibility to inflammatory diseases. The present study evaluates the association of two single nucleotide polymorphisms in $COX_2$ gene (-1195G>A and $8_{473}$C>T) with chronic periodontitis in North Indians. Methods: Both SNPs and their haplotypes were used to explore the associations between $COX_2$ polymorphisms and chronic periodontitis in 56 patients and 60 controls. Genotyping was done by polymerase chain reaction followed by restriction fragment length polymorphism. Chi-square test and logistic regression analysis were performed for association analysis. Results: By the individual genotype analysis, mutant genotypes (GA and AA) of $COX_2$-1195 showed more than a two fold risk (odds ratio [OR]>2) and $COX_2$ $8_{473}$ (TC and CC) showed a reduced risk for the disease, but the findings were not statistically significant. Haplotype analysis showed that the frequency of the haplotype AT was higher in the case group and a significant association was found for haplotype AT (OR, 1.79; 95% confidence interval, 1.03 to 3.11; P=0.0370) indicating an association between the AT haplotype of $COX_2$ gene SNPs and chronic periodontitis. Conclusions: Individual genotypes of both the SNPs were not associated while haplotype AT was found to be associated with chronic periodontitis in North Indians.

• Plant Resources
• /
• 제7권3호
• /
• pp.187-194
• /
• 2004

Sequence-tagged site (STS) markers tightly linked to the bacterial leaf blight (BLB) resistance genes, xa5, xa13 and Xa21, were used in this study. A survey was conducted to find polymorphisms between the resistant and susceptible germplasm in rice. 500 of Korean varieties and 100 of landraces were evaluated in this study. STS marker, RG207 was used to having xa5 resistance gene of rice germplasm. 27 varieties of Korean germplasm showed resistant for xa5 gene. The RG136 an xa-13 marker resulted in a single band of approximately 1kb in all the rice accessions studied. In order to detect polymorphism, digestion of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) product was performed using a restriction enzyme Hinf Ⅰ. The resistant lines resulted in two bands 0.5kb on digestion with Hinf Ⅰ, while the same enzyme did not digest the PCR product of susceptible lines. No polymorphism was detected in Korean varieties and landraces, indicating that they probably do not contain xa13 gene. pTA248 an Xa-21 marker detected a band of 1kb in the resistant lines and bands of either 750bp or 700bp in the susceptible lines. Among germplasm tested, there are no varieties and landraces with Xa21 resistant gene. The results of the germplasm survey will be useful for the selection of parents in breeding programs aimed at transferring these bacterial blight resistance genes from one varietal background to another.

• Biotechnology and Bioprocess Engineering:BBE
• /
• 제11권6호
• /
• pp.510-515
• /
• 2006

The putative EPA synthesis gene cluster was mined from the entire genome sequence of Shewanella oneidensis MR-1. The gene cluster encodes a PKS-like pathway that consists of six open reading frames (ORFs): ORFSO1602 (multi-domain beta-ketoacyl synthase, KS-MAT-4ACPs-KR), ORFSO1600 (acyl transferase, AT), ORFSO1599 (multi-domain beta-ketoacyl synthase, KS-CLF-DH-DH), ORFSO1597 (enoyl reductase, ER), ORFSO1604 (phosphopentetheine transferase, PPT), and ORFSO1603 (transcriptional regulator). In order to prove involvement of the PKS-like machinery in EPA synthesis, a 20.195-kb DNA fragment containing the genes was amplified from S. oneidensis MR-1 by the long-PCR method. Its identity was confirmed by the methods of restriction enzyme site mapping and nested PCR of internal genes orfSO1597 and orfSO1604. The DNA fragment was cloned into Escherichia coli using cosmid vector SuperCos1 to form pCosEPA. Synthesis of EPA was observed in four E. coli clones harboring pCosEPA, of which the maximum yield was 0.689% of the total fatty acids in a clone designated 9704-23. The production yield of EPA in the E. coli clone was affected by cultivation temperature, showing maximum yield at $20^{\circ}C$ and no production at $30^{\circ}C$ or higher. In addition, production yield was inversely proportional to glucose concentration of the cultivation medium. From the above results, it was concluded that the PKS-like modules catalyze the synthesis of EPA. The synthetic process appears to be subject to regulatory mechanisms triggered by various environmental factors. This most likely occurs via the control of gene expression, protein stability, or enzyme activity.

• 한국약용작물학회지
• /
• 제18권3호
• /
• pp.173-179
• /
• 2010

This study describes an efficient approach to the development of DNA markers for use in distinguishing the Scrophularia species that have been used as useful medicinal crops. In order to distinguish Scrophularia species, DNA sequences of rpl-5 region in mitochondrial DNA of Scrophularia species were analysed for detecting sequence variations, and the PCR-RFLP method was applied for developing practicable DNA marker patterns. Several DNA variations were detected by the sequence comparison of rpl-5 region among Scrophularia species. Genetic relationship analysis of Scrophularia species was carried out based on these DNA variations. DNA variations of rpl-5 region were revealed that it was significantly efficient in genetic relationship analysis of Scrophularia species. In addition, Scrophularia species tested in this study were completely discriminated by four polymorphic genotypes by PCR-RFLP combined with Tsp509 I (^AATT) restriction enzyme. Our results suggested that DNA sequence variations of rpl-5 region were sufficiently useful for genetic relationship analysis of Scrophularia species. Polymorphic genotypes by PCR-RFLP using the Tsp509 I enzyme will be useful for discrimination of Scrophularia species as a practicable DNA markers.