Cryopreservation of bovine embryos is used to efficiently implant surrogate mothers. It has been widely accepted that high lipid content in the oocyte interrupts its survival during freeze-thaw cycles. Serum component in the culture medium is thought to increase the embryo`s lipid contents. Conversely, L-carnitine stimulates lipid metabolism by transporting long chain fatty acids into the mitochondria. Objective of this study was to analyze the effect of L-carnitine supplementation in IVM medium and defined IVC medium on the development, lipid contents and the cryosurvival of bovine IVF embryos. 0.0, 1.5, 3.0 and 6.0 mM L-carnitine was supplemented in IVM medium, respectively (IVM-LC 0.0, LC 1.5, LC 3.0 and LC 6.0). Development rate from the 2cell to the morula stages was higher in IVM-LC 3.0 groups than those of IVM-LC 6.0 (p<0.05). But there were no significant differences among the other groups in the blastocyst rates and lipid content results. When 0.0, 1.5, 3.0 and 6.0 mM L-carnitine were supplemented in IVC medium (IVC-LC 0.0, LC 1.5, LC 3.0 and LC 6.0), development competence was not significantly different between those embryos. Lipid contents of embryos treated L-carnitine (IVC-LC 1.5, 3.0 and 6.0) were significantly lower than embryos of non-treated group. L-carnitine was supplemented 0.0, 1.5, 3.0, 6.0 mM during IVM and 3.0 mM during IVC (LC 0.0 - 3.0, LC 1.5 – 3.0, LC 3.0 – 3.0, LC 6.0 – 3.0) and cryosurvival of blastocysts confirmed after freezing-thawing. There were no significant differences on development, but LC 3.0 – 3.0 was significantly lower lipid contents than other groups. And LC 3.0 – 3.0 had better survival rates and hatched rates of blastocysts than LC 0.0 – 0.0. In conclusion, supplementation of L-carnitine in defined IVC medium decreases lipid contents. And L-carnitine supplementation improves cryosurvival and developmental ability of bovine IVF embryos.

The early-onset familial Alzheimer's disease (EOFAD/ FAD), the less common type of Alzheimer's disease (AD) currently affects a vast number of individuals worldwide. This type is being inherited as an autosomal dominant fashion. Missense mutations on Amyloid precursor protein (APP) and Presenilins 1 and 2 (PSEN1 & PSEN2) are known as major genetic factors in FAD. Conversely, missense mutations on microtubule-associated protein tau (MAPT) are also thought to involve. Up to date, several triple-transgenic animal models with muted forms of the human APP, PSENs and MAPT have been reported. Compared to other animals, canines are more emotional and their disease signs can be easily diagnosed. This attempt was to develop a triple transgenic canine model for the AD. We have obtained the coding sequences of APP, PSEN1 and MAPT from Dana-Farber/Harvard Cancer Center DNA resource core at HMS and incorporated several common AD mutations. The transgenic construct is composed of hNSE (ENO2) promoter-driven three AD genes fused together with modified 2A sequences. It was transfected into the canine fetal fibroblasts which were then used to perform somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT). The viable transgenic embryos were obtained after in vitro culture and the GFP was detected. In this study, we have successfully produced viable triple transgenic canine cloned embryos using SCNT technique. These transgenic canine embryos will be further developed into canines with FAD. The transgenic canines will be a good candidate in the AD research field.

The eggs of Asian tiger mosquito, Aedes albopictus, possess high desiccation resistance, which contribute the rapid spread of this mosquito across the world. Melanization of eggshell appear to play a role in the resistance to desiccation. Dopachrome-conversion enzyme (DCE, Yellow) significantly accelerates the melanization of the eggshell. In this study, we demonstrated functional importance of two yellow genes, AalY-g and AalY-g2, in the chorion formation. Both genes were highly induced in the ovary at 48 h after blood meal. Injection of dsRNA for AalY-g or AalY-g2 into adult females had no effect on fecundity. However, the outermost colorless exochorion of the eggs obtained from both dsRNA-treated females was fragile and peeled off in places, and melanization of the endochorion was obviously delayed by several hours. In addition, unlike eggs from control females which acquired high desiccation resistance between 18 and 24 h after oviposition (HAO), 60-70% 24 HAO eggs from either AalY-g- or AalY-g2-deficient females were collapsed when they were moved to an air-dry condition, and the desiccation resistance was not increased in later stages of embryonic development analyzed. TEM analysis revealed that abnormal morphology and ultrastructure of the endochorion, particularly outer-endochorion, in the 24 HAO and older eggs from either AalY-g-and AalY-g2-deficient females. These results indicate that AalY-g and AalY-g2 are required for morphology and formation of the endochorion (outer-endochorion), a structure that appears to be critical for desiccation resistance of the Ae. albopictus eggs. This work was supported by NRFs (NRF-2015R1A6A3A04060323 and NRF-2018R1A2B6005106)

Insect peptides have been extensively studied due to beneficial effects in the treatment of infectious diseases. Melittin, a fundamental component of honeybee venom produced by European honeybee Apis mellifera, has applied to prevent various inflammatory disease and bacterial infections in human. However, the therapeutic application of melittin is limited due to its low stability, hemolytic activity and expensive manufacturing costs. In this study, we aimed to discovery unknown peptides from the Apis mellifera and evaluate its antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli KACC 10005. A total 15,853 peptide sequences were diciphered using Illumina HiSeq 2500 next-generation sequencing (NGS) platform and analyzed based on the Apis mellifera official Gene Set Version 3.2 (amel_OGSv3.2) and the Collection of Anti-Microbial Peptides (CAMPR3) database. All the peptide sequences and annotation data sets were combined and sorted by physicochemical features of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), such as short peptide length <=50, positive charge, isoelectric point (8.0<=pl<=12), and aggregation propensity (in-vitro: <=500, in-vivo: –40<= Na4vSS <=60). Among the screened peptides, four unknown peptide candidates, named AMP1-4, were chemically synthesized and tested for antimicrobial activity in comparison with a reference peptide, melittin. Inhibition of bacterial growth was observed in the AMP4 treated group from 6 hours to 48 hours post-treatment against E. coli. These results suggest that honeybee-derived peptide sequences can be applied as natural resources to acquire novel AMPs and the peptide sequences derived parameters are enough to recognize antibacterial peptides. In addition, the selected novel peptide candidate, AMP4, has antibacterial activity.

Morphology of antennal sensilla and their distribution were investigated in male and female adults of Gymnosoma rotundatum, a parasitic fly to hemipteran species, using scanning electron microscopy. The overall length of antenna was not different between male and female. Antenna of G. rotundatum was composed of scape, pedicel and funiculus in both sexes. Three types of sensilla (sensillum basiconica, s. chaetica and s. coeloconica) were identified from both sexes, in varying numbers and distribution along the antennae. The two sensillum types were further divided into different subtypes; s. basiconica into three subtypes and s. chaetica into two subtypes. Among sensilla, s. basiconica subtype 1, 2 and 3 were multiporous, indicating that the ir primary function is olfactory, and others were not. The s. basiconica was most numerous on the antennae in both sexes. The number of subtype 1 of s. basiconica was different between male and female. The morphological information obtained in our study provides a basis for electrophysiological and behavioral studies of the olfactory sensory function of each morphological type of sensilla. (Supported by PJ011756022018, RDA)

ICT 기반의 해충 이미지 전송 시스템은 담배거세미나방과 파밤나방을 예찰하고 방제하는데 필요한 효과적인 유인 해충 전송수단이다. 시설 온실내 담배거세미나방과 파밤나방을 유인하기 위하여 스마트 트랩을 이용하였다. 스마트트랩은 나방류 해충유인을 위해 성페로몬 4종 장착하였으며 유인된 해충은 특수 카메라를 이용하여 이미지 촬영이 가능하였다. 또한, 해충유인 발광트랩 처리구는 황색광을 사용한 발광 트랩을 사용하였다. 또한 대조구로 기존에 널리 사용되는 델타트랩은 한 종류의 성페로몬을 장착하여 유인력 검정에 이용하였다. 성페로몬 한 종류만 사용한 델타트랩 처리는 담배거세미나방 페로몬 루어를 사용하였고, 4종류의 성페로몬을 설치한 스마트 트랩 처리구는 담배거세미나방, 뒷날개흰나방, 파밤나방, 왕담배나방용 성페로몬 루어를 사용하였다. 실험은 2018년 6월 1일부터 8월 31일까지 함안 시설원예연구소의 13m2의 소형비닐하우스에서 수행하였으며 공시작물은 파프리카 ‘시로코’ 품종과 토마토 ‘데프니스’ 품종을 사용하였다. 나방류 해충의 유인력 검정결과 파프리카와 토마토를 식재한 온실 모두 성페로몬 루어 한 종류를 설치한 델타트랩보다 유인발광 트랩 처리구에서 높은 나방류 유인율을 나타내었다. 시험기간 유인발광 트랩의 경우 유인 포획된 총 나방수는 파프리카 온실에서 평균 97마리, 토마토 온실에서 75마리가 유인 포획되어 가장 높았다. 그러나, 성페로몬 1종 및 4종을 설치한 델타트랩 및 스마트트랩처리구는 두 개의 온실 모두 평균 5마리 이하의 유인율을 나타내었다. 따라서, 시설내 나방류 예찰 및 유인 방제하기 위해서는 기존 성페로몬만 사용하기 보다는 유인발광 트랩을 함께 설치하는 것이 나방류 유인포획에 효과적이라고 판단되었다.