곤충 유전자를 이용한 항세균성 펩타이드 생산 및 응용에 관한 기초 연구로서 비병원성 세균(Escherichia coli K12)으로 면역 반응을 유도한 누에로부터 발현량이 증가하는 유전자 중 Hyalophora cecropia의 attacin과 cDNA 상동성을 나타내는 BmInc6 클론을 분리하고 그 특성을 조사하였다. BmInc6 cDNA의 전체염기서열을 분석한 결과 그 크기는 852 bp이고, 35번째 염기에서 변역이 개시되어 679 bp 위치에서 종결되는 open reading frame을 가지며 812번째 위치에 잠정 전사 종결 신호의 존재가 확인되었다(GenBank, AF005384). BmInc6에 의해 coding되는 아미노산은 214개이며, hydropathy 분석 결과 친수성을 나타내는 단백질이었다. 그리고 BmInc6 유전자에 의해 연역되는 펩타이드를 nuecin으로 명명하였다. Nuecin 유전자를 baculovirus 발현 백터계를 이용하여 곤충세포주에서 발현시킨 결과 전사체의 크기는 약 950 bp였고, 세포내 벌현 펩타이드의 분자량은 약 23 kDa이었다. 세포내에서 발현된 nuecin 전구체로 추정되는 23 kDa 펩타이드는 세포외로 분비되는 과정에서 약 3 kDa의 signal 펩타이드가 제거됨으로서 약 20 kDa의 성숙 nuecin으로 된다는 사실을 단백질 전기영동상으로 확인하였다. Nuecin 단백질의 항세균 활성을 수종의 그람 음성 및 양성 세균에 대해 검정한 결과, 특히 E. coli와 Bacillus subtilis에 높은 활성을 나타내었으며, attacin이 한정된 그람 음성 세균에만 항세균 활성을 나타내는데 비해 nuecin은 그람 음성은 물론 그람 양성에도 항세균 활성을 나타내어, 보다 넓은 항세균 스펙트럼을 가지는 것을 알 수 있었다.있는 자격이 주어지므로 대부분의 보조적 보장소득 수혜 노인들은 단순히 금전적인 수입의 측면뿐 아니라 그 외의 사회보장 프로그램에 의존하고 있다. 이러한 면에서 보조적 보장소득의 수혜는 한국 영주권자 노인들의 독립적인 삶에 큰 역할을 하고 있다. 이러한 사회복지 프로그램을 영주권자들에게는 전면 금지하는 새로운 사회복지법은 재미 한국 영주권자 노인들뿐 아니라 그들의 가족들에게도 막대한 경제적 부담을 줄 것이다. 본 논문은 영주권자 노인들을 대상으로 분석한 것이지만, 주거형태를 비롯한 일반적인 특성을 비교해 보면 영주권자, 귀화 시민권자, 그리고 미국태생 노인들은 다른 성격의 집단들임을 보여주고 있다. 종래의 소수민족 노인들에 관한 연구들이 이민자 노인들을 영주권자와 귀화 시민권자의 구분없이 하나의 집단으로 간주하고 분석해 왔던 것을 볼 때, 앞으로의 연구는 이론적으로나 방법론적으로 시민권의 유무가 주거형태에 끼치는 영향도 함께 고려해야 할 것이다.에 나타난 인도의 영향은 여성복식과 남성복식에 있어서 서로 유사점과 차이점이 보이는데, 인도의 영향이 여성복식에 있어서 그 빈도가 더 높고, 종류가 더 다양함을 볼 수 있다. 여성복식에 있어서는 12가지의 다양한 인도복식스타일이 나타났으며, 그중 가장 많이 보이는 스타일은 Indian Shirt/Blouse/Smock/ Dress이며, 그 뒤를 이어 Madras, Indian lowery등을 볼 수 있다. 남성복식애 나타난 7가지의 스타일 중에는 Madras가 가장 빈도가 높으며 그외의 스타일들은 그 빈도가 매우 낮음을 볼 수 있다. 인도의 영향의 정도 (Attribution Categories) 있어서는 여성과 남성복식 모두에 있어서 인도에서 직접 수입된(originated) item이 각각 전체의 90%와 81%를 차지하여, 인도복식의 영향은 받았으나

누에에서 새로운 항세균성 펩타이드 유전자를 탐색하기 위하여 E. coli K12로 체강 주사한 누에 유충의 cDNA 유전자 은행에서 차별화 선별로, 잠재 항세균성 펩타이드 유전자로 추정되는 BmInc8 클론을 분리하였다. BmInc8은 564bp의 크기를 가지며, 59개 아미노산을 coding하는 open reading frame과 2개의 잠정 폴리아데닐화 부위를 보유하고 있었다. BmInc8은 M. sexta에서 분리, 보고된 bactericidine 유전자와 61.2%의 DNA 상동성을 나타내는 것으로, 그 연역된 펩타이드 구조는 항세균성 펩타이드의 일종인 cecropin과 유사한 2가닥의 -helix가 Lysine-Proline 경첩부위에 의해 포개져 있는 형태를 갖는 것으로 추정되었다. 또한 cDNA 삽입 부위의 기능성 검정을 위해 원핵 발현벡터인 pT7-5를 이용하여 E. coli BL21(DE3) 균주에 형질전환하고 IPTG로 induction한 결과 E. coli BL21(DE3) 균주의 성장이 정지됨을 관찰할 수 있었다. 이상의 결과로 BmInc8은 DNA 상동성 비교, 연역 아미노산의 구조 추정 및 cDNA 삽입 부위를 이용한 transient expression 결과 항세균성 펩타이드를 coding하는 유전자임을 추정할 수 있었다. 또한 Bminc8의 cDNA 유전자 정보를 GenBank에 등록하였으며 등록 번호는 U30289이었다.

Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. kurstaki HD-1으로부터 생산된 살충성 내독소 단백질을 coding하는 CryIIA 유전자를 클로닝하고 염기서열을 조사하였다. HD-1 균주의 12개 plasmid 중 225kb plasmid를 분리하여 CryIIA 유전자를 포함하는 5kb HindIII 절편을 hybridization하여 찾아냈다. 이 절편을 plasmid pUC19에 ligation하여 E. coli에 형질 전환하였다. 이 독소 유전자를 포함하는 4kb BamHI-HindIII 절편은 vector pT7-5에 ligation하여 pSKIIA라하였다. pSKIIA는 3개의 open reading frames(orf1, orf2, orf3)로 구성되어 있으며 염기서열은 3,952base로 되어 있었다. 이러한 3개의 orf 각각의 발현 여부를 확인하기 위하여 생물검정을 하였다. 그러나 orf1 또는 orf2에 의한 형질 전환체는 독성이 없는 것으로 나타났다. orf3를 포함하는 형질 전환체는 3종의 나비목 곤충(배추점나방, 담배거세미나방, 담배나방) 및 1종의 파리목 곤충(집모기) 유충에 대하여 독성을 나타내었다.

흰 불나방 핵 다각체바이러스(Hyphantria cunea nuclear Palyhedrosis virus: HcNPV) 다각체 단백질 유전자포함 절편의 탐색과 클로닝을 행하였다. Autographa cahfornica NPV EeoRI-I 절편 (약 7.3 kb), Bombyx mori NPV PstI-F 절편 (약 7 kb) 및 합성 oligonucleotide ( 3D-mer) 를 probe로 한 southern hybridization을 행하여 HcNPV PstI - L 절편 (5.3 kb)을 탐색하고, pUC18을 이용하여 E. coli에 형질전환시켜 클로닝하였다. 클로닝한 plasmid의 EeoRI, SaIl, Kpnl, HindIII, SacI 및 AvaI의 제한효소지도를 작성하고 pHeP-L(8.0 kb)이라 명명히였으며, 이를 다시 pHcP-Ll(4.7 kb), pHcP-L2(7.1 kb), pHcP-L3(5.3 kb), pHcP-L4(4.2 kb) 및 pHeP-L5(4.5 kb)로 subeloning 하였다.

Cytochrome c oxidase subunit Ⅱ gene(COⅡ gene) is subunit of cytochrome oxidase, which is complex Ⅳ of mitochondria electron transport system. It has been frequently used in molecular phylogenetic studies because the speed of its DNA variation is faster than that of nucleus. It is especially useful in phylogenetic study of molecular biology in insects. In this study, we cloned and sequenced COⅡ gene of mitochondria DNA from Rhabditidae family nematode. Our results showed that this gene is comprised of 696 base pairs(bp). In the analysis of similarity of this gene with other known genes of 14 species of nematodes in Rhabditida order, we identified that this gene has high similarity with that of Caenorhabditis briggsae(86.0%) and C. elegans(85.6%) in Rhabditidae family. On the meanwhile, it has very low similarity with that of Angiostrongylus cantonensis(31.8%) in Angiostrongylidae family and Metastrongylus salmi(31.6%) in Metastrongylidae family. Based on the results of this study, we suggest that this nematode is closely related with that of Caenorhabditis genus in Rhabditidae family.

Fibroin silk proteins from spider or silkworm are attractive biomaterials that are of particular biotechnological interest for industrial and medical purposes because of their unique physical and mechanical properties. In this study, we generated and characterized the transgenic rice plant expressing a spider silk protein. Spider silks have great potential as biomaterials with extraordinary properties. Here, we report the cloning and characterization of the major ampullate silk protein gene from the spider Araneus ventricosus. A cDNA encoding the partial major ampullate silk protein (AvMaSp) was cloned from A. ventricosus. An analysis of the cDNA sequence shows that AvMaSp consists of a 240 amino acid repetitive region and a 99 amino acid C-terminal non-repetitive domain. The peptide motifs that were found in the spider major ampullate silk proteins, (A)n, (GA)n, and (GGX)n, were conserved in the repetitive region of AvMaSp. Phylogenetic analysis further confirmed that AvMaSp belongs to the spider major ampullate spidroin family of proteins. Recombinant AvMaSp-R was degraded abruptly by trypsin. However, AvMaSp-R was stable at 100 °C for at least 30 min. Additionally, the AvMaSp-R was stable at pH values from 2 to 12 for at least 1 h. Taken together, our findings describe the molecular structure and biochemical properties of the A. ventricosus major ampullate silk protein and demonstrate its potential as a biomaterial.

Map-based cloning is a basic method for identifying the mutated gene in plants. We selected the gametophytic mutant, named as AP-26-09, in activation-tagging pool. Mutant plant showed various kinds of pollen phenotype, such as the different number of nucleus or abnormal shapes. For the map-based gene cloning, we conducted phenotypic analysis of F2 mapping population through the screening of DAPI-stained pollen using fluorescence microscopy. Genomic DNA of F2 plants is prepared from leaves of approximately 1000 plants. In order to define chromosomal region where mutation is located, we designed SSLP markers and performed PCR amplification. In this study, we characterized gametophytic mutant and determined the chromosomal location using map-based approach.

sy-2 (Seychelles-2) is a temperature sensitive natural mutant of Capsicum chinense and native to Seychelles Island in Africa. Previously we showed that sy-2 leaves were irregularly shaped and defective in chlorophyll development at temperatures below 24℃. A segregation test revealed that the sy-2 gene is controlled by a single recessive gene. To identify the sy-2 gene, we performed a map-based cloning approach using a total 600 individual F2 plants derived from crossing sy-2 and the wild type C. chinense ‘No.3341’. Fine-mapping of the locus allowed us to position sy-2 to an approximately 170-kb region flanked by markers IN2-1-1 and SNP-3-7 on chromosome 1. Among the approximately 36 hypothetical genes in this region several candidate genes including: HSP90-like ATPase family proteins, lipid-transfer proteins, calmodulin-domain protein kinases, and zinc finger proteins (ZFPs) were identified. RT-PCR and sequencing of the hypothetical genes are under way to identify sy-2.

In the course of map-based cloning, mutant genes are identified through linkage to specific region on genetic map. Here, we demonstrated gametophytic mutant line, named as AP-28-23, in which mutant gene was mapped on chromosome 2. Based on phenotypic analysis of mature pollen, mutant phenotype of AP-28-23 was classified into three classes, wild-type showing 2-4%, moderate 35-53% and severe type 97-100% on aberrant pollen frequencies, respectively. The severe type is completely sterilized with 100% unfertilized ovules. We also revealed that the transmission was reduced through male gametophyte in the AP-28-23 line. The transmission efficiency (TE) through the male gametophyte is only 0.67%, whereas in the female gametophyte is 89.87%.

sy-2 (Seychelles-2) is a temperature sensitive mutant of Capsicum chinense and native to Seychelles Island in Africa. Previously we showed that sy-2 leaves were irregularly shaped and defective in chlorophyll development at temperatures lower than 24℃. A segregation test revealed that the sy-2 gene is controlled by a single recessive gene. To identify the sy-2 gene, we performed a map-based cloning approach using a total of 1,010 F2 plants derived from crossing sy-2 and the wild type C. chinense ‘No.3341’. sy-2 gene is located on chromosome 1, 0.3 cM and 0.1cM away from cosII markers C2_At4g29120 and C2_At1g09070, respectively. The tomato genome sequence between those two markers was compared with pepper genome sequence. We found three of pepper scaffold sequences in this region. We developed seven ingle nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers on the pepper scaffold sequences, among which five SNP markers were co-segregated with sy-2. To fill the gap between the scaffolds which contains co-segregating markers, we screened a bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) library, and end-sequences of total of 22 AC clones were i. We found that five clones were overlapped to cover the gap. We fully sequenced four AC clones and found that the physical distance between C2_At4g29120 and C2_At1g09070 is 343kb. This region contains 70 putative genes such as HSP90-like ATPase family proteins, lipid-transfer proteins, calmodulin-domain protein kinases, and zinc finger proteins (ZFPs). To identify the sy-2 gene, we performed RT-PCR and found that a ZFP-like gene is differentially expressed between WT and sy-2 leaves. This result suggests that the ZFP-like gene is a strong candidate for the sy-2 gene. We are currently characterizing this candidate gene.

Internode elongation is an important agronomic trait in rice that is associated with lodging, yield, and flooding adaptation. We identified a novel rice mutant line showing shortened uppermost internode among the rice Ac/Ds insertional mutant population and named it shortened uppermost internode 4 (sui4). The phenotypes of F1 plants and F2 plants from the cross of sui4 with its original variety, Dongjin, indicated that the SUI4 gene shows incomplete dominance or semidominance. Because the Ds genotypes did not co-segregate with the sui4 phenotypes, we performed mapping of this gene with 273 F2 plants from a cross between sui4 and Milyang23. Primary mapping revealed that the SUI4 locus was located between the S07012 and S07015 markers on rice chromosome 7. Further fine mapping narrowed down the location of SUI4 to the 1.1-Mbp interval of RM1253-S07015. Using re-sequencing data of this mutant along with its original variety, Dongjin, and five other varieties, we found six sui4 specific SNPs occurred within the genic region of five genes in the fine-mapped interval. Among them, one SNP is in exon, while the other five SNPs are in intron. This SNP in exon occurred in the miR172 binding site of a gene encoding AP2 domain transcription factor, which seems to interrupt suppression of this gene activity by miR172. We isolated the genomic region of this gene from sui4 and transformed the wild type variety, Dongjin. The transgenic plants showed remarkably shortened internodes, which indicates that this AP2 domain transcription factor gene is the SUI4 gene.

Gonadotropin-inhibitory hormone (GnIH) has been found to inhibit the synthesis and release of gonadotropin (GTH) in avian and mammalian species. It was originally identified in the brain of a quail as a novel hypothalamic neuropeptide with a C-terminal Arg-Phe-NH2 motif (RFamide peptide). Homologs of this peptide have been identified in a couple of model fish species such as goldfish (Carassius auratus) and zebrafish (Danio rerio). Understanding GnIH system could be particularly useful in some aquaculture species with problems of frequent reproduction and/or precautious sexual maturation. However, GnIH system in such species has not been studied yet. In this study, we have identified a pupative GnIH gene in the Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). We also investigated the role of GnIH in the reproduction of this species. The full length sequence of putative tilapia GnIH gene coded for a protein (197 amino acids) containing two modified RFamides (MPLRF and LSQRF) and a LPQRF cDNA sequence of 594 bp. This putative GnIH gene showed high homology with the GnIH genes of Takifugu rubripes (72%) and Tetraodon nigroviridis (74%). PCR analysis showed that expression of this gene was ubiquitously distributed in the whole brain, ovary and testis as well as in the peripheral tissues examined in this study (liver, kidney, intestine, spleen, muscle and gill) except heart and eye. Expression level of this gene in sexually inactive group was significantly higher than the expression level in first gonadal development and sexually active groups (P<0.05). On the contrary, the expression level of LH-β gene was low in sexually inactive group but significantly higher in first gonadal development and sexually active groups (P<0.05). However, no significant difference was observed in the level of FSH-β gene expression between different reproductive phases in this species. In vitro studies revealed an inhibitory effect of GnIH on LH-β mRNA and FSH-β mRNA levels. No significant difference between GnIH and GnIH with LHRH-a treatments on LH-β and FSH-β mRNA expression in female tilapia pituitary cells.

Translationally controlled tumor protein (TCTP) is one of important immune regulator. TCTP has been implicated in cellular processes including the cell growth, cell cycle progression, apoptosis regulation and the protection of cells against various stress condition. In this study, we cloned and characterized TCTP from rock bream (Oplegnathus fasciatus), which is an economically important species in the Korea aquaculture industry. The Full-length of rock bream TCTP (RbTCTP) cDNA was 1041 bp and contained an open reading frame (ORF) of 513 bp, which encoded 170 amino acid sequence. The 5' untranslated region (UTR) was 90 bp while the 3' UTR was 538 bp, containing a polyadenylation signal (ATTAAA). The identity of amino acid sequence was 76%, 75% and 74% in tilapia, orange-spotted grouper and Japanese seaperch, respectively. The positions of microtuble-binding region, Ca⁺ binding region and TCTP signature regions in RbTCTP were similar with those of other fish species and mammalian. The RbTCTP mRNA was expressed highest in the muscle. Expression of TCTP mRNA were significantly variable according to injection of red seabream iridovirus (RSIV), Streptococcosis (S. iniae) and Edwardsiella tarda (E. tarda).

The molecular responses to various abiotic stresses were investigated by the approaches with transcriptomic analysis based on an ACP system. Here we identified differentially expressed genes under abiotic stresses in alfalfa seedlings and they were mostly unknown genes and a few common stress-related genes. Among them, mitochondrial small HSP23 was responded by the diverse stress treatment such as heat, salt, As stresses and thus it could be a strong candidate that may confer the abiotic stress tolerance to plants. When expressed in bacteria, recombinant MsHSP23 conferred tolerance to salinity and arsenic stress. Furthermore, MsHSP23 was cloned in a plant expressing vector and transformed into tobacco, a eukaryotic model organism. The transgenic plants exhibited enhanced tolerance to salinity and arsenic stress under ex vitro conditions. In comparison to wild type plants, the transgenic plants exhibited significantly lower electrolyte leakage. Moreover, the transgenic plants had superior germination rates when placed on medium containing arsenic. Taken together, these overexpression results imply that MsHSP23 plays an important role in salinity and arsenic stress tolerance in transgenic tobacco. The results of the present study show that overexpression of alfalfa mitochondrial MsHSP23 in both eukaryotic and prokaryotic model systems confers enhanced tolerance to salt and arsenic stress. This indicates that MsHSP23 could be used potentially for the development of stress tolerant transgenic crops, such as forages.