• Journal of Life Science
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 2014

Eukaryotic gene expression is an important process, which is initiated by several transcription factors and RNA polymerases that occupy the promoter region of genomic DNA. Although there are many experiments to identify the promoter region in a gene, it is time and labor consuming to finalize it. In this study, we utilized bioinformatic programs, including Ensembl, NCBI, and CpG plots, to identify the cloning promoter region in SETDB1 genomic DNA. We performed PCR amplification to obtain the SETDB1 promoter on an approximately 2 kb region upstream from the TSS named SETDB1-P1. The PCR product was ligated with TA cloning vectors, and we confirmed the insert size using restriction enzyme digestion. Sequentially, the insert was subcloned into a pGL3-luc vector to produce pGL3-SETDB1- P1-luc and then confirmed by DNA sequencing. We also obtained a fragmented PCR product called P2 and P3 and performed a luciferase assay using pGL3-SETDB1-P1-luc transfection. We found that several anticancer drugs, including taxol, 4-FU, and doxorubicin, decreased the promoter activity of SETDB1. We obtained consistent data on the regulation of SETDB1 gene expression after anticancer drug treatment using Western blot analysis and RT-PCR. Our results suggest that promoter cloning of the human SETDB1 gene utilizing bioinformatics is a very useful and timesaving approach to study gene expression.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.82-89
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• 2016

Objective: The long interspersed elements (LINE-1, L1s) are a group of genetic elements found in large numbers in the human genome that can translate into phenotype by controlling genes. Growing evidence supports the role of epigenetic in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). The purpose of this study is to evaluate the DNA methylation levels in LINE-1 in a tissue-specific manner using cumulus cells from patients with PCOS compared with normal controls. Methods: The study included 19 patients with PCOS and 22 control patients who were undergoing controlled ovarian hyperstimulation. After oocyte retrieval, cumulus cells were extracted. LINE-1 DNA methylation levels were analysed by bisulfite treatment, polymerase chain reaction, and restriction enzyme digestion. The Connection Up- and Down-Regulation Expression Analysis of Microarrays software package was used to compare the gene regulatory functions of intragenic LINE-1. Results: The results showed higher LINE-1 DNA methylation levels in the cumulus cells of mature oocytes in PCOS patients, 79.14 (${\pm}2.66$) vs. 75.40 (${\pm}4.92$); p=0.004, but no difference in the methylation of cumulus cells in immature oocytes between PCOS and control patients, 70.33 (${\pm}4.79$) vs. 67.79 (${\pm}5.17$); p=0.155. However, LINE-1 DNA methylation levels were found to be higher in the cumulus cells of mature oocytes than in those of immature oocytes in both PCOS and control patients. Conclusion: These findings suggest that the epigenetic modification of LINE-1 DNA may play a role in regulating multiple gene expression that affects the pathophysiology and development of mature oocytes in PCOS.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.52-59
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• 2011

Recently, new ginseng cultivars having superior agricultural traits have been developed in Korea. For newly developed plant cultivars, the identification of distinctiveness is very important factors not only in plant cultivar management but also in breeding programs. Thus, eighty-five inter simple sequence repeat (ISSR) primers were applied to detect polymorphisms among six major Korean ginseng cultivars and two foreign ginsengs. A total of 197 polymorphic bands with an average 5.8 polymorphic bands and 2.9 banding patterns per assay unit across six Korean ginseng cultivars and foreign ginsengs from 236 amplified ISSR loci with an average 6.9 loci per assay unit were generated by 34 out of 85 ISSR primers. Three species of Panax ginseng including the Korean ginseng cultivars, P. quinquefolius, and P. notoginseng, could be readily discriminated using most tested primers. UBC-821, UBC-868, and UBC-878 generated polymorphic bands among the six Korean ginseng cultivars, and could distinguish them from foreign ginsengs. Sequence characterized amplified region (SCAR) marker system was introduced in order to increase the reproducibility of the polymorphism. One SCAR marker, PgI821C650, was successfully converted from the randomly amplified polymorphism by UBC-821. It showed the expected dominant polymorphism among ginseng samples. In addition, the specific polymorphism for Sunwon was generated by treating Taq I restriction enzyme to polymerase chain reaction products of PgI821C650. These results will serve as useful DNA markers for identification of Korean ginseng, especially Sunwon cultivar, seed management, and molecular breeding program supplemented with marker-assisted selection.

• Korean journal of applied entomology
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• v.53 no.3
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• pp.281-286
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• 2014

In grape vineyards, whitish spots in a cloud shape have been often observed on the fruit surface recently. However, the cause of the halo spot symptom was unknown, hindering countermeasures to be properly designed for the control. A small hole in the middle of the formless halo spot remained as a scar formed by oviposition of the thrips. It became later a suberized scab, which is separated from the epidermal cells on the surface either to be retained on or to be detached from it as time proceeds. Such a symptom is distinguished from the feeding damages caused by thrips or true bugs occurring on the grape fruits. With DNA extracted from the egg-shell found in the hole, molecular diagnosis by amplifying an ITS2 region with universal primers and subsequently digesting the PCR product by an restriction enzyme (RsaI) revealed that the egg was laid by Frankliniella occidentalis. In addition, a mitochondrial COI sequence confirmed that the halo spot symptom was formed by its oviposition. This study provides accurate information on the peculiar damage symptom caused by oviposition of F. occidentalis that could be useful in the control strategies for this pest in vineyards.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.607-622
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• 2004

Recently epidemiologic studies have indicated that the patients with periodontitis may have increased risk of ischemic cardiovascular events, and have suggested the important roles of blood cytokines and acute reactant proteins in the systemic infection and inflammatory response. Periodontitis and coronary heart disease (CHD) may share the common risk factors and the genetic mechanism associated with interleukin(IL)-1A, B and RA genotype may be involved in the production of IL-1. This study was aimed to investigate the relationship between angiographically defined CHD and periodontitis as chronic Gram-negative bacterial infection and to determine whether the IL-1 gene polymorphism is associated in both diseases. Patients under the age of 60 who had undergone diagnostic coronary angiography were enrolled in this study. Subjects were classified as positive CHD (+CHD, n=37) with coronary artery stenosis more than 50% in at least one of major epicardial arteries, and negative CHD (-CHD, n=30) without significant stenosis. After recording the number of missing teeth, periodontal disease severity was measured by means of plaque index (PI), gingival index (GI), bleeding on probing (BOP), probing depth (PD), clinical attachment level (CAL), and radiographic bone loss around all remaining teeth. Gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) was collected from the 4 deepest periodontal pockets and assessed for cytokine ($IL-1{\beta}$, IL-6, IL-1ra, tumor necrosis $factor-{\alpha}$, and prostaglandin $E_2$). Additionally, blood CHD markers, lipid profile, and blood cytokines were analyzed. IL-1 gene cluster genotyping was performed by polymerase chain reaction and enzyme restriction using genomic DNA from buccal swab, and allele 2 frequencies of IL-1A(+4845), IL-1B(+3954), IL-B(-511), and IL-1RA(intron 2) were compared between groups. Even though there was no significant difference in the periodontal parameters between 2 groups, GCF level of $PGE_2$ was significantly higher in the +CHD group(p<0.05). Correlation analysis showed the positive relationship among PD, CAL and coronary artery stenosis(%) and blood $PGE_2$. There was also significant positive relationship between the periodontal parameters (PI, PD, CAL) and the blood CHD markers (leukocyte count, C-reactive protein, and lactic dehyrogenase). IL-1 gene genotyping showed that IL-1A(+3954) allele 2 frequency was significantly higher in the +CHD group compared with the -CHD group (15% vs. 3.3%, OR 5.118,p=0.043). These results suggested that periodontal inflammation is related to systemic blood cytokine and CHD markers, and contributes to cardiovascular disease via systemic inflammatory reaction. IL-1 gene polymorphism might have an influence on periodontal and coronary heart diseases in Korean patients.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.87 no.4
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• pp.543-548
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• 1998

Portions of chloroplast genes(psbD and rbcL) were amplified from Pinus thunbergii(Japanese black pine : black pine) and Pinus densiflora(Japanese red pine : red pine) by PCR and digested by a restriction enzyme, HaeIII, respectively. Two species specific cpDNA markers were identified. With the observed cpDNA markers, paternal inheritance of cpDNA in pine hybrids was verified in an artificial hybrid family between black pine(Chollanam 37) and red pine(Chungchongbuk 3). On the basis of paternal inheritance of chloroplast genome in a hybrid, 2 portions of cpDNA amplified from 115 individuals of Pinus densiflora for. erecta were screened to detect any traces of black pine specific cpDNA markers in P. densiflora for. erecta which has been postulated as an introgressive hybrid between red pine and black pine(Hyun el al., 1967). All the analyzed individuals of Pinus densiflora for. erects revealed the identical profiles of HaeIII digested psbD and rbcL genes to red pine. This result suggests that there is no introduced chloroplast genome of black pine in Pinus densiflora for. erecta and that there is no concrete evidence of treating P. densiflora for, erecta as an introgressive hybrid between red pine(♀) and black pine(♂).

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.299-310
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• 2005

The severe form of chronic periodontitis(CP) has been reported to be strongly associated with the presence of allele 2 of composite IL-1B(+3954) and IL-1A(+4845) genetic polymorphisms(genotype positive). However, other studies have reported conflicting findings. These might have resulted from differences in ethnic background and disease entities. The aim of this study was to determine the distribution of IL-1A(+4845), IL-1B(+3954), IL-1B(-511), and IL-1 RN(VNTR) genetic polymorphisms in children as a future Korean population. The study population consisted of 92 children from the Dept. of Pediatric Dentistry, Chonnam National University Hospital. Genomic DNA was obtained from buccal swab. The IL-1A(+4845), IL-1B(+3954), and IL-1B(-511) genes were genotyped by amplifying the polymorphic region using multiplex polymerase chain reaction(PCR), followed by restriction enzyme digestion and gel electrophoresis. IL-1 RN(VNTR) polymorphism were then evaluated by PCR amplification and fragment size analysis in agarose gel. The allele 2 frequency was 41.3%, 4.3%, 47.8%, and 9.9% for IL-1A(+4845), IL-1B(+3954), IL-1B(-511), and IL-1 RN respectively. The frequency of genotype with allele 2 carriage for IL-1A(+4845), IL-1B(+3954), IL-1B(-511), and IL-1 RN was 77.1%, 7.6%, 63.0%, and 15.2% respectively. The allele 2 frequency in IL-1B(+3954) was significantly higher in female than in male population(p<0.05). The negative association was shown between the presence of allele 2 in IL-1B(-511) and in IL-1B(+3954), and the carriage rate of IL-1B(+3954) allele 2 tended to lower in IL-1B(-511) allele 2(P=0.056). Only 7.3% of children carried the composite genotype of IL-1A(+4845) and IL-1B(+3954). These results suggest that the polymorphism of IL-1B(+3954) and the positive composite genotype was relatively rare in Korean population.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Prosthodontics
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.207-222
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• 2003

As a material of metal-ceramic prosthesis, nickel as a form of Ni-Cr alloy has been used for many dental prostheses in many cases. However, several problems in use of the alloy have been revealed (ex ; tissue stimulation, skin allergy, hypersensitivity cytotoxicity and carcinogenecity). Little is known about nickel with respect to the relationship between Ni-prosthesis and gaining of Niresistance in oral microorganisms. The present study was undertaken to check whether use of Ni-prosthesis leads to occurrence of Ni-resistant microorganisms. So this study may suggest the possible relationships between the oral microorganisms and nickel-resistance in oral environment. Bacteria were isolated from the gingival crevicular fluid on the patients wearing Ni-Cr prosthesis. The isolated bacteria were tested fir their Ni-resistance in nickel containing media at different concentration from 3mM to 110mM. E. coli HB101 was used as control. The Ni-resistant bacteria were isolated and biochemically identified. The Ni-resistant bacteria were tested several biochemical, molecular-biological tests. Performed tests were : measuring the growth curve, antibiotic test, growth ability test in liquid media, isolation of the chromosome and plasmid, digestion of DNA by restriction enzyme, electrophoresis of chromosome and plasmid DNA, identification of Ni-resistant genes by the DNA hybridization. The results were as follows 1) The bacteria isolated from gingival crevicular fluid on the patients wearing Ni-Cr alloy prosthesis showed nickel-resistance. 2) The isolated microorganisms grew at nickel containing media of high concentrations (60mM-110mM). 3) Based on the biochemical tests, the isolated microorganisms were identified as Enterococcus faecalis(13 cases), Klebsiella pneumoniae(1 case) and Enterobacter gergoviae(1 case). 4) Enterococcus faecalis expressed not only nickel resistance but also the multi-drug resistance to several antibiotics ; chloramphenicol, kanamicin, streptomycin, lincomycin, clindamycin, However, all strain showed the sensitivity against the tetracycline. 5) DNA hybridization result suggests that there is no homology between the previously known gene of nickel resistance in Klebsiella pneumoniae and chromosomal DNA of Enterococcus faecalis.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.53-66
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• 1995

The gene for ${\gamma}$-casein, a milk protein, is a member of a family of casein gene which is expressed in mammary glands of the animal during the late gestation and lactation periods binder the influence of various hormones. In order to elucidate tile mechanisms b)'which hormones regulate the coordinate induction of milk protein genes, the mouse ${\gamma}$-casein gene was isolated and characterized. The ${\gamma}$-casein gene was screened from a mouse genomic library constructed in bacteriophage EMBL3 with the ${\gamma}$-casein CDNA used as probe and one clone was obtained. The ${\gamma}$-casein CDNA as probe was partially sequenced and contained ATG start codon and 5'-noncoding region. The cloned genomic DNA was digested with Sal I restriction enzyme, by which the insert DNA can be isolated from EMBL3 vector. Three DNA bands were observed and the size of DNAs was approximately 28kb, 14kb and 9Kb, respectively Accordingly the size of the insert DNA was calculated with approximately 23Kb. The result of Southern blot analysis, however, showed that the cloned genomic DNA was not hybridized with the synthetic oligonucleotides (40 mer) of cDNA 5'-end region, but it was hybridized with the y -casein CDNA. This means that tile cloned y -casein gene may not contain its promoter region. The ${\gamma}$ -casein genomic DNA containing the promoter region has been screening from mouse genomic library with oligonucleotides of CDNA 5'-end region as probe, and twenty-nine clones was obtained.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.155-158
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• 2011

Uncoupling protein (UCP) 3 has a number of proposed roles in the regulation of fatty acid metabolism. A number of polymorphisms in the human UCP3 gene have been identified, and the correlation with obesity related phenotypes evaluated. The objective of this study was to identify SNP in porcine UCP3 gene and to investigate the effect of the SNP on economic traits. The sequencing analysis method was used to identify nucleotide polymorphisms at position 1405 bp (Genebank accession No : AY739704) in porcine UCP3 gene. The SNP (G150R), located in the exon 3, changed the amino acid to glycine (GGG) from arginine (AGG). This G150R showed three genotypes - GG, GR and RR - by digestion with the restriction enzyme Sma Ⅰ using the PCR-RFLP method. The G150R showed significant effects only on back fat (P<0.05). Animals with the genotype GG had significantly higher back fat thickness (1.358 cm) than animals with the genotype GR (1.288 cm, P<0.05) and RR (1.286 cm, P<0.05). However, the genotypes had no significant association with ADG and days to 90kg. According to results of this study, a G allele of the G150R was found to have a significant effect on back fat thickness. It will be possible to use SNP markers on selected pigs to improve backfat thickness, an important economic trait.