• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.11
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• pp.6619-6623
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• 2013

Background:The aim of the research was to explore a cost effective, fast, easy to perform, and sensitive method for epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation testing. Methods: High resolution melting analysis (HRM) was introduced to evaluate the efficacy of the analysis for dectecting EGFR mutations in exons 18 to 21 using formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissues and plasma free DNA from 120 patients. Results: The total EGFR mutation rate was 37.5% (45/120) detected by direct sequencing. There were 48 mutations in 120 FFPE tissues assessed by HRM. For plasma free DNA, the EGFR mutation rate was 25.8% (31/120). The sensitivity of HRM assays in FFPE samples was 100% by HRM. There was a low false-positive mutation rate but a high false-negative rate in plasma free DNA detected by HRM. Conclusions: Our results show that HRM analysis has the advantage of small tumor sample need. HRM applied with plasma free DNA showed a high false-negative rate but a low false-positive rate. Further research into appropriate methods and analysis needs to be performed before HRM for plasma free DNA could be accepted as an option in diagnostic or screening settings.

• BMB Reports
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• v.55 no.11
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• pp.553-558
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• 2022

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is dangerous cancer that often evades early detection because it is asymptomatic and an effective detection method is lacking. For people with chronic liver inflammation who are at high risk of developing HCC, a sensitive detection method for HCC is needed. In a meta-analysis of The Cancer Genome Atlas pan-cancer methylation database, we identified a CpG island in the USP44 promoter that is methylated specifically in HCC. We developed methylation-sensitive high-resolution melting (MS-HRM) analysis to measure the methylation levels of the USP promoter in cell-free DNA isolated from patients. Our MS-HRM assay correctly identified 40% of patients with early-stage HCC, whereas the α-fetoprotein test, which is currently used to detect HCC, correctly identified only 25% of early-stage HCC patients. These results demonstrate that USP44 MS-HRM analysis is suitable for HCC surveillance.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.47 no.3
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• pp.241-246
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• 2014

Viruses in the genus Megalocytivirus have been subdivided into four subgroups. Among these subgroups 2 and 4, represented by the red sea bream iridovirus (RBIV) and the olive flounder iridovirus (FLIV), respectively, are non-exotic. subgroups 1 and 3, represented by the red sea bream iridovirus (RSIV) and the infectious spleen and kidney necrosis virus (ISKNV), respectively, have not been detected in Korea and are known as exotic. Shellfish are filter-feeders, and can thus filter and accumulate Megalocytivirus in their digestive glands, allowing us to track viral contamination in surrounding aquatic environment. In this study, we developed a high-resolution melting (HRM) analysis to differentiate among subgroups of Megalocytivirus accumulated in shellfish, and confirmed the convenience and efficiency of this method. More than two subgroups of Megalocytivirus were found in the digestive gland of a single shellfish. We classified all Megalocytivirus viruses from shellfish in Korea into subgroups 2 and 4, although proportions of subgroups were different among regions. Compared to nucleotide sequencing analysis, HRM analysis is a simple and rapid method for differentiating of Megalocytivirus subgroups.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.51 no.6
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• pp.651-656
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• 2013

Human schistosomiasis caused by Schistosoma japonicum and Schistosoma mekongi is a chronic and debilitating helminthic disease still prevalent in several countries of Asia. Due to morphological similarities of cercariae and eggs of these 2 species, microscopic differentiation is difficult. High resolution melting (HRM) real-time PCR is developed as an alternative tool for the detection and differentiation of these 2 species. A primer pair was designed for targeting the 18S ribosomal RNA gene to generate PCR products of 156 base pairs for both species. The melting points of S. japonicum and S. mekongi PCR products were $84.5{\pm}0.07^{\circ}C$ and $85.7{\pm}0.07^{\circ}C$, respectively. The method permits amplification from a single cercaria or an egg. The HRM real-time PCR is a rapid and simple tool for differentiation of S. japonicum and S. mekongi in the intermediate and final hosts.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.23 no.6
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• pp.439-445
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• 2015

Background : Correct identification of Panax species is important to ensure food quality, safety, authenticity and health for consumers. This paper describes a high resolution melting (HRM) analysis based method using internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and 5.8S ribosomal DNA barcoding regions as target (Bar-HRM) to obtain barcoding information for the major Panax species and to identify the origin of ginseng plant. Methods and Results : A PCR-based approach, Bar-HRM was developed to discriminate among Panax species. In this study, the ITS1, ITS2, and 5.8S rDNA genes were targeted for testing, since these have been identified as suitable genes for use in the identification of Panax species. The HRM analysis generated cluster patterns that were specific and sensitive enough to detect small sequence differences among the tested Panax species. Conclusion : The results of this study show that the HRM curve analysis of the ITS regions and 5.8S rDNA sequences is a simple, quick, and reproducible method. It can simultaneously identify three Panax species and screen for variants. Thus, ITS1HRM and 5.8SHRM primer sets can be used to distinguish among Panax species.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.468-472
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• 2011

DNA marker is a powerful tool for plant genetics and breeding. In this study, 995 SSR markers were employed with chilling resistant cucumber, known as 'NC76', and chilling susceptible cucumber, known as 'GY14'. Using 2% agarose gel electrophoresis, 145 SSR markers were identified as length variation markers between 'NC76' and 'GY14'. The SSR markers that showed no length polymorphism were then screened using high resolution melting analysis technique and additional 30 polymorphic SSR markers were identified. As a preliminary evaluation for mapping, 20 markers among these 175 markers were employed to a $F_2$ population of 'NC76' x 'GY14' cross. Linkage analysis revealed 13 markers that joined into six linkage groups and seven markers that remained unlinked. This result indicates that these 175 markers could be used for construction of a genetic map using a cross between 'NC76' and 'GY14' for further investigation in developing markers related to resistance to chilling in cucumbers.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.199-205
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• 2022

Two tree frogs, Dryophytes suweonensis and Dryophytes japonicus, inhabiting Korea, are morphologically similar and share the same habitats. Therefore, they are identified mainly through their calls, especially for males. Dryophytes suweonensis is registered as an endangered (IUCN: EN grade) and protected species in South Korea. Thus, it is necessary to develop a method to rapidly identify and discriminate the two species and establish efficient protection and restoration plans. We identified significant genetic variation between them by sequencing a maternally-inherited mitochondrial 12S ribosomal DNA region. Based on the sequence data, we designed a pair of primers containing 7bp differences for high resolution melting(HRM) analysis to rapidly and accurately characterize their genotypes. The HRM analysis using genomic DNA showed that the melting peak for D. suweonensis was 76.4±0.06℃, whereas that of D. japonicus was 75.0±0.05℃. The differential melt curve plot further showed a distinct difference between them. We also carried out a pilot test for the application of HRM analysis based on immersing D. suweonensis in distilled water for 30 min to generate artificial environmental DNA(eDNA). The results showed 1.10-1.31℃ differences in the melting peaks between the two tree frog samples. Therefore, this HRM analysis is rapid and accurate in identifying two tree frogs not only using their genomic DNA but also using highly non-invasive eDNA.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.12
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• pp.5019-5022
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• 2014

Recently, mutations in the genes involved in cell cycle control, including CHEK2, are being considered as etiological factors in different kinds of cancers. The CHEK2 protein plays an important role in protecting damaged DNA from entering mitosis. In this study the potential effects of two common mutations $IVS2+1G{\rightarrow}A$ and Ile157Thr of CHEK2 gene in differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC) were evaluated. A total of 100 patients admitted to the Research Institute for Nuclear Medicine were diagnosed with DTC based on pathology reports of surgery samples. An additional 100 people were selected as a control group with no cancer history. PCR-HRM (high resolution melting) analysis was performed to deal with each of mutations in all case and control samples separately. During the analysis of $IVS2+1G{\rightarrow}A$ and Ile157Thr mutations of CHEK2 gene in the case and control groups, all the samples were identified as wild homozygote type. The finding suggests that $IVS2+1G{\rightarrow}A$ and Ile157Thr mutations of CHEK2 gene do not constitute a risk factor for DTC in the Iranian population. However, further studies with larger population are required to confirm the outcome.

• The Korean Journal of Mycology
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• v.50 no.3
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• pp.225-233
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• 2022

Pyogo (Shiitake, Lentinula edodes) is one of the most important edible mushrooms because of its outstanding nutritive and medicinal value. In the registration and protection procedure for newly developed mushroom cultivars, the application of molecular markers that can supplement the morphological characteristic-based distinction has been strongly requested. Sanjo 701 and Chamaram, newly developed at the Federation Forest Mushroom Research Center of Korea, have been characterized as innovative cultivars suitable for customer demands because of their high yields and cultivation rates. However, no technical tools can protect the rights to these important cultivars. In this study, using comparative genomic information from 23 commercially available pyogo cultivars, we identified single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that accurately differentiated Sanjo701 and Chamaram from the other cultivars. We also developed high-resolution melting analysis (HRM)-based SNP markers that discriminate among the tested 23 pyogo cultivars. The developed SNP markers can be utilized for rapid, accurate identification of pyogo cultivars with low genetic diversity and to prevent cultivar contamination caused by illegally distributed inocula. In addition, these markers can serve as a crucial scientific basis for securing the right to conserve new cultivars in international markets.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.51 no.6
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• pp.645-650
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• 2013

A simple, rapid, and high-throughput method for detection and identification of Wuchereria bancrofti, Brugia malayi, Brugia pahangi, and Dirofilaria immitis in mosquito vectors and blood samples was developed using a real-time PCR combined with high-resolution melting (HRM) analysis. Amplicons of the 4 filarial species were generated from 5S rRNA and spliced leader sequences by the real-time PCR and their melting temperatures were determined by the HRM method. Melting of amplicons from W. bancrofti, B. malayi, D. immitis, and B. pahangi peaked at $81.5{\pm}0.2^{\circ}C$, $79.0{\pm}0.3^{\circ}C$, $76.8{\pm}0.1^{\circ}C$, and $79.9{\pm}0.1^{\circ}C$, respectively. This assay is relatively cheap since it does not require synthesis of hybridization probes. Its sensitivity and specificity were 100%. It is a rapid and technically simple approach, and an important tool for population surveys as well as molecular xenomonitoring of parasites in vectors.