• Ocean and Polar Research
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• v.42 no.3
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• pp.263-270
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• 2020

The distribution and genotypes of the sea nettle Chrysaora pacifica have been reported in the South Sea of Korea; however, little research work has been attempted in the East Sea. Here, we collected similar jellyfishes from the East Sea coasts (Goseong, Yangyang and Sokcho), and identified them to the sea nettle morphologically. In addition, the genotypes of these sea nettle were compared with those from the South Sea (Tongyeong and Geoje). Phylogenetic analysis by using the mitochondrial COI sequences showed that the genus Chrysaora was clearly separated from other taxa to be formed a monophyletic group, with each species distinctly separated. C. pacifica in the East and South Seas was separated geographically by the COI phylogeography, representing potentially different populations. The COI gene of the Korean C. pacifica had approximately 7 times more genetic variation than the nuclear ITS rDNA, and thus it might be considered as a useful marker for genetic analysis of the jellyfish population.

• Ocean and Polar Research
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.295-301
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• 2016

The nomenclature of the sea nettle jellyfish from Korea was initially described as Dactylometra quinquecirrha Agassiz, 1862. However its identity has been questioned on the basis of its local distribution and molecular data. Here, we examined morphology and DNA sequences of nuclear rDNA using specimens collected from southern Korean waters in August 2014. Based on morphological characteristics (bell size, umbrella pattern, number of tentacles and lappets) and distribution locality, we reassign the Korean D. quinquecirrha to Chrysaora pacifica (Goette, 1886), and provide a re-description accordingly. The molecular identity of C. pacifica was further confirmed by comparison of nuclear ribosomal DNA sequences.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.62 no.4
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• pp.347-353
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• 2019

Stings of jellyfish, which frequently occur in a warm season, cause severe pain, inflammation and sometimes irreversible results such as the death. Harmful venoms from jellyfish, therefore, have been studied for finding the therapeutic agents to relieve pain or to neutralize toxic components. However, it is still unclear if and how jellyfish venom reveal neuronal toxicity even though pain induction seems to result from the activation of nociceptors such as nerve endings. In this study, using HT-22 cell line, we investigated neurotoxic effects of the venom of Chrysaora pacifica (CpV) which appears in South-East ocean of Korea. In 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide assay, CpV significantly reduced the viability of HT-22 cells in a dose-dependent manner. Additionally, in 2',7'-Dichlorofluorescin diacetate fluorescence test under the culture condition lacking dominant inflammatory factors, CpV remarkably increased the production of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS). Reduced responsive fluorescence to Rhodamine123 and increased expression of intracellular cytochrome c were also observed in HT-22 cells treated with CpV. These indicate that CpV-reduced viability of HT-22 cells may be due to the activation of apoptotic signalings mediated with oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction. Furthermore, removing Ca²⁺ ion or adding N-acetyl-Lcystein remarkably blocked the CpV effect to reduce the viability of HT-22 cells. The findings in this study clearly demonstrate that CpV may activate Ca²⁺-mediated ROS signalings and mitochondrial dysfunction resulting in neuronal damage or death, and suggest that blocking Ca²⁺ pathway is a therapeutic approach to possibly block toxic effects of jellyfish venoms.