Tae‐Wook Kim

BACKGROUND: Nitrogen (N) is a key macronutrient essential for plant growth, and its availability has a strong influence on crop development. The application of synthetic N fertilizers on crops has increased substantially in recent decades; however, the applied N is not fully utilized due to the low N use efficiency of crops. To overcome this limitation, it is important to understand the genome-wide responses and functions of key genes and potential regulatory factors in N metabolism. RESULTS: He

The highly conserved protein, IscU, serves as the scaffold for iron-sulfur cluster (ISC) assembly in the ISC system common to bacteria and eukaryotic mitochondria. The apo-form of IscU from Escherichia coli has been shown to populate two slowly interconverting conformational states: one structured (S) and one dynamically disordered (D). Furthermore, single-site amino acid substitutions have been shown to shift the equilibrium between the metamorphic states. Here, we report three-dimensional stru

The animal model that we have developed and our assessment of the relation between exercise and brain function can be useful tools for future investigations of NLUTD symptoms associated with stroke, particularly ischemic stroke. The present study suggests that treadmill exercise promoted the recovery of brain function after cerebral ischemia.

Ethylene is one of the most important hormones for plant developmental processes and stress responses. However, the phosphorylation regulation in the ethylene signaling pathway is largely unknown. Here we report the phosphorylation of cap binding protein 20 (CBP20) at Ser245 is regulated by ethylene, and the phosphorylation is involved in root growth. The constitutive phosphorylation mimic form of CBP20 (CBP20S245E or CBP20S245D), while not the constitutive de-phosphorylation form of CBP20 (CBP2

Mitochondrial dysfunction may play a key role in the progression of steatosis to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH); however, the molecular mechanism that controls the structure and function of mitochondria in NASH is not clearly understood. Here, we demonstrated that RORα is a regulator of expression of Bnip3 and PGC-1α, and thereby enhances mitochondrial quality. First, we observed that liver-specific RORα knockout mice (RORα-LKO) were more susceptible to high-fat diet-induced NASH compared w

This study aimed to assess factors affecting pregnancy intention among women of reproductive age in Korea. We analyzed data from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES), a population-based survey that included 22,731 women aged 15-49. As age was associated with birth year and was found to be a confounding factor in the analysis of participants' characteristics, we used propensity score matching to assess the characteristics of pregnant women compared with non-pregna

We obtained the complete mitochondrial genome of the Ussuri white-toothed shrew Crocidura lasiura (Insectivora, Soricidae) at 17 362 base pairs (bp) containing 13 protein-coding genes, two ribosomal RNAs, 22 transfer RNAs, and a non-coding control region. Its gene order is identical to that of other vertebrates. Several repeat elements were identified in the non-coding control region (D-loop). Phylogenetic tree using mt protein-coding gene sequences showed that C. lasiura was closely related to

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are essential small RNA molecules that regulate the expression of target mRNAs in plants and animals. Here, we aimed to identify miRNAs and their putative targets in <i>Hibiscus syriacus</i>, the national flower of South Korea. We employed high-throughput sequencing of small RNAs obtained from four different tissues (<i>i.e.</i>, leaf, root, flower, and ovary) and identified 33 conserved and 30 novel miRNA families, many of which showed differential tissue-specific expressions

To understand the dietary ecology of the leopard cat (Prionailurus bengalensis), DNA analysis was performed to identify prey species using DNA isolated from teeth harvested from the faeces of this feline species. From 70 DNA samples, a total of 52 mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) cytochrome b (cytb) gene sequences of mammals were identified. The results of a sequence identity test indicated that those sequences were derived from four rodent species (Apodemus agrarius, Apodemus peninsulae, Eothenomys re

Hip pain is a prevalent degenerative joint symptoms, imposing a significant global health burden. Hip pain is experiencing an increase in incidences in Korea due to its aging society, and the social burden of hip pain continues to rise as the hip joint is crucial for gait and balance. This study assessed the epidemiology of hip pain in Korea using data from the fifth version of Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES V-5). The research analyzed data from 8,898,044 Koreans

This study assessed the potential of back extensor strength as an alternative marker of frailty. A total of 560 farmers were included. Computed tomography scans measured fat and muscle mass volumes at the mid-L4 vertebral level. Back extensor strength was measured in a seated posture. Multivariate linear regression was used to analyze the associations between back extensor strength and trunk muscle/fat compositions. The participants were divided into two groups based on back extensor strength. P

With increasing life expectancy, knee pain has become more prevalent, highlighting the need for early prediction. Although X-rays are commonly used for diagnosis, knee pain and X-ray findings do not always match. This study aims to identify factors contributing to knee pain in individuals with both normal and abnormal knee X-ray results to bridge the gap between X-ray findings and knee pain. Data from the fifth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES), collected from 2010

This study assessed the potential of back extensor strength as an alternative marker of frailty. A total of 560 farmers were included. Computed tomography scans measured fat and muscle mass volumes at the mid-L4 vertebral level. Back extensor strength was measured in a seated posture. Multivariate linear regression analyzed the associations between back extensor strength and trunk muscle/fat compositions. The participants were divided into two groups based on back extensor strength. Propensity s