• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.30 no.5
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• pp.571-577
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• 2017

Abscisic acid (ABA) is an important phytohormone involved in abiotic stress tolerance in plants. The group A bZIP transcription factors play important roles in the ABA signaling pathway in Arabidopsis but little is known about their functions in rice. In our current study, we have isolated and characterized a group A bZIP transcription factor in rice, OsABF3 (Oryza sativa ABA responsive element binding factor 3). We examined the expression patterns of OsABF3 in various tissues and time course analysis after abiotic stress treatments such as drought, salinity, cold, oxidative stress, and ABA in rice. Subcellular localization analysis in maize protoplasts using a GFP fusion vector further indicated that OsABF3 is a nuclear protein. Moreover, in a yeast one-hybrid experiment, OsABF3 was shown to bind to ABA responsive elements (ABREs) and its N-terminal region found to be necessary to transactivate a downstream reporter. A homozygous T-DNA insertional mutant of OsABF3 is more sensitive to salinity, drought, and oxidative stress compared with wild type plants ＆ OsABF3OX plants. In addition, this Osabf3 mutant showed a significantly decreased sensitivity to high levels of ABA at germination and post-germination. Collectively, our present results indicate that OsABF3 functions as a transcriptional regulator that modulates the expression of abiotic stress-responsive genes through an ABA-dependent pathway.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.187-194
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• 2022

Two α-ʟ-arabinofuranosidases (BfdABF1 and BfdABF3) and a β-ᴅ-xylosidase (BfdXYL2) genes were cloned from Bifidobacterium dentium ATCC 27679, and functionally expressed in E. coli BL21(DE3). BfdABF1 showed the highest activity in 50 mM sodium acetate buffer at pH 5.0 and 25℃. This exo-enzyme could hydrolyze p-nitrophenyl arabinofuranoside, arabino-oligosaccharides (AOS), arabinoxylo-oligosaccharides (AXOS) such as 3²-α-ʟ-arabinofuranosyl-xylobiose (A³X), and 2³-α-ʟ-arabinofuranosyl-xylotriose (A²XX), whereas hardly hydrolyzed polymeric substrates such as debranched arabinan and arabinoxylans. BfdABF1 is a typical exo-ABF with the higher specific activity on the oligomeric substrates than the polymers. It prefers to α-(1,2)-ʟ-arabinofuranosidic linkages compared to α-(1,3)-linkages. Especially, BfdABF1 could slowly hydrolyze 2³,3³-di-α-ʟ-arabinofuranosyl-xylotriose (A²⁺³XX). Meanwhile, BfdABF3 showed the highest activity in sodium acetate at pH 6.0 and 50℃, and it has the exclusively high activities on AXOS such as A³X and A²XX. BfdABF3 mainly catalyzes the removal of ʟ-arabinose side chains from various AXOS. BfdXYL2 exhibited the highest activity in sodium citrate at pH 5.0 and 55℃, and it specifically hydrolyzed p-nitrophenyl xylopyranoside and xylo-oligosaccharides (XOS). Also, BfdXYL2 could slowly hydrolyze AOS and AXOS such as A³X. Based on the detailed hydrolytic modes of action of three exo-hydrolases (BfdABF1, BfdABF3, and BfdXYL2) from Bf. dentium, their probable roles in the hemiceullose-utilization system of Bf. dentium are proposed in the present study. These intracellular exo-hydrolases can synergistically produce ʟ-arabinose and ᴅ-xylose from various AOS, XOS, and AXOS.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.35 no.5
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• pp.381-387
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• 2013

Nitrogen and phosphorus removal was investigated in an UASB-ABF (Up-flow anaerobic sludge blanket - aerated bio-filter) anaerobic sewage treatment system. Successful removal of nitrogen and phosphorus with organic matters was possible in the UASB-ABF system from the results of 160 days operation with the influent raw domestic sewage. Removal efficiencies of organic matter (as TCOD) showed 64% in UASB without recycle of the ABF effluent, however, they increased to 92%, 95%, 96% with 120%, 180% and 240% recycle of the ABF effluent, respectively. Increasement of the organic matter removal was not prominent at recycle ratio above 180%. Apparent increase in TN removal occurred with recycle of the ABF effluent. TN removal efficiency was 18% without recycle, but it increased to 82% with 240% recycle of the ABF effluent. And stable nitrification above 95% was possible as a result of efficient removal of organic matter in the UASB with and without recycle of the effluent. Removal of both TP and $PO{_4}^{3-}$-P also increased remarkably with recycle of the effluent. Without recycle of the effluent, that is at strict anaerobic condition in UASB, TP was not removed, however, its removal efficiency increased to 51%, 63%, 71% at recycle ratios of 120%, 180%, 240%, respectively mainly at UASB.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.41 no.5
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• pp.413-422
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• 2018

Soybean transgenic plants with ectopically expressed AtABF3 were produced by Agrobacterium-mediated transformation and investigated the effects of AtABF3 expression on drought and salt tolerance. Stable Agrobacterium-mediated soybean transformation was carried based on the half-seed method (Paz et al. 2006). The integration of the transgene was confirmed from the genomic DNA of transformed soybean plants using PCR and the copy number of transgene was determined by Southern blotting using leaf samples from $T_2$ seedlings. In addition to genomic integration, the expression of the transgenes was analyzed by RT-PCR and most of the transgenic lines expressed the transgenes introduced. The chosen two transgenic lines (line #2 and #9) for further experiment showed the substantial drought stress tolerance by surviving even at the end of the 20-day of drought treatment. And the positive relationship between the levels of AtABF3 gene expression and drought-tolerance was confirmed by qRT-PCR and drought tolerance test. The stronger drought tolerance of transgenic lines seemed to be resulted from physiological changes. Transgenic lines #2 and #9 showed ion leakage at a significantly lower level (P < 0.01) than ${\underline{n}}on-{\underline{t}}ransgenic$ (NT) control. In addition, the chlorophyll contents of the leaves of transgenic lines were significantly higher (P < 0.01). The results indicated that their enhanced drought tolerance was due to the prevention of cell membrane damage and maintenance of chlorophyll content. Water loss by transpiration also slowly proceeded in transgenic plants. In microscopic observation, higher stomata closure was confirmed in transgenic lines. Especially, line #9 had 56% of completely closed stomata whereas only 16% were completely open. In subsequent salt tolerance test, the apparently enhanced salt tolerance of transgenic lines was measured in ion leakage rate and chlorophyll contents. Finally, the agronomic characteristics of ectopically expressed AtABF3 transgenic plants ($T_2$) compared to NT plants under regular watering (every 4 days) or low rate of watering condition (every 10 days) was investigated. When watered regularly, the plant height of drought-tolerant line (#9) was shorter than NT plants. However, under the drought condition, total seed weight of line #9 was significantly higher than in NT plants (P < 0.01). Moreover, the pods of NT plants showed severe withering, and most of the pods failed to set normal seeds. All the evidences in the study clearly suggested that overexpression of the AtABF3 gene conferred drought and salt tolerance in major crop soybean, especially under the growth condition of low watering.

• Journal of the Korean GEO-environmental Society
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.19-25
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• 2007

Process analysis with ASM3 (Activated Sludge Model3) was performed to offer basic data for the optimization of aerated biofilter (ABF) process design and operation. This study was focused on the simulation of the nitrification reaction in ABF which was a part of the advanced nutrient treatment process using bio-adsorption. The ABF process has been developed for the removal of suspended solids and nitrification reaction in sewage. A GPS-X (General Purpose Simualtor-X) was used for the sensitivity analysis and operation assessment. Sensitivity of ASM3 parameters on ABF was analysed and 4 major parameters ($Y_A$, $k_{sto}$, ${\mu}_A$, $K_{A,HN}$) were determined by dynamic simulation using 70 days data from pilot plant operation. The optimized values were 0.14 for $Y_A$, 3.5/d for $k_{sto}$, 2.7/d for ${\mu}_A$ and 1.1 mg/L for $K_{A,HN}$, respectively. Simulation with optimized parameter values were conducted and TN, $NH_4{^+}-N$ and $NO_3{^-}-N$ concentrations were estimated and compared with measured data at the range of 10 min to 4 hrs of hydraulic retention time (HRT). The simulated results showed that optimized parameter values could represent the characteristics of ABF process. Especially, the ABF showed relatively high nitrification rate (60%) under very short HRT of 10 min. As a consequence, the ABF was thought to be successfully used in the site which having high variation of influent loading rate.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.272-279
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• 2021

Two genes encoding probable α-ʟ-arabinofuranosidase (E.C. 3.2.1.55) isozymes (ABFs) with 92.3% amino acid sequence identity, ABF51A and ABF51B, were found from chromosomes 3 and 5 of Saccharomycopsis fibuligera KJJ81, an amylolytic yeast isolated from Korean wheat-based nuruk, respectively. Each open reading frame consists of 1,551 nucleotides and encodes a protein of 517 amino acids with the molecular mass of approximately 59 kDa. These isozymes share approximately 49% amino acid sequence identity with eukaryotic ABFs from filamentous fungi. The corresponding genes were cloned, functionally expressed, and purified from Escherichia coli. SfABF51A and SfABF51B showed the highest activities on p-nitrophenyl arabinofuranoside at 40~45℃ and pH 7.0 in sodium phosphate buffer and at 50℃ and pH 6.0 in sodium acetate buffer, respectively. These exoacting enzymes belonging to the glycoside hydrolase (GH) family 51 could hydrolyze arabinoxylo-oligosaccharides (AXOS) and arabino-oligosaccharides (AOS) to produce only ʟ-arabinose, whereas they could hardly degrade any polymeric substrates including arabinans and arabinoxylans. The detailed product analyses revealed that both SfABF51 isozymes can catalyze the versatile hydrolysis of α-(1,2)- and α-(1,3)-ʟ-arabinofuranosidic linkages of AXOS, and α-(1,2)-, α-(1,3)-, and α-(1,5)-linkages of linear and branched AOS. On the contrary, they have much lower activity against the α-(1,2)- and α-(1,3)-double-substituted substrates than the single-substituted ones. These hydrolases could potentially play important roles in the degradation and utilization of hemicellulosic biomass by S. fibuligera.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.40 no.8
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• pp.577-586
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• 2017

Phytocystatins (PhyCYSs) are plant-specific proteinaceous inhibitors that are implicated in protein turnover and stress responses. Here, we characterized a PhyCYS from Arabidopsis thaliana, which was designated AtCYS5. RT-qPCR analysis showed that the expression of AtCYS5 in germinating seeds was induced by heat stress (HS) and exogenous abscisic acid (ABA) treatment. Analysis of the expression of the ${\beta}-glucuronidase$ reporter gene under the control of the AtCYS5 promoter showed that AtCYS5 expression during seed germination was induced by HS and ABA. Constitutive overexpression of AtCYS5 driven by the cauliflower mosaic virus 35S promoter led to enhanced HS tolerance in transgenic Arabidopsis, which was characterized by higher fresh weight and root length compared to wild-type (WT) and knockout (cys5) plants grown under HS conditions. The HS tolerance of AtCYS5-overexpressing transgenic plants was associated with increased insensitivity to exogenous ABA during both seed germination and post-germination compared to WT and cys5. Although no HS elements were identified in the 5'-flanking region of AtCYS5, canonical ABA-responsive elements (ABREs) were detected. AtCYS5 was upregulated in ABAtreated protoplasts transiently co-expressing this gene and genes encoding bZIP ABRE-binding factors (ABFs and AREB3). In the absence of ABA, ABF1 and ABF3 directly bound to the ABREs in the AtCYS5 promoter, which activated the transcription of this gene in the presence of ABA. These results suggest that an ABA-dependent pathway plays a positive role in the HS-responsive expression of AtCYS5 during seed germination and post-germination growth.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.111-118
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• 2016

MiR399f plays a crucial role in maintaining phosphate homeostasis in Arabidopsis thaliana. Under phosphate starvation conditions, AtMYB2, which plays a role in plant salt and drought stress responses, directly regulates the expression of miR399f. In this study, we found that miR399f also participates in plant responses to abscisic acid (ABA), and to abiotic stresses including salt and drought. Salt and ABA treatment induced the expression of miR399f, as confirmed by histochemical analysis of promoter-GUS fusions. Transgenic Arabidopsis plants overexpressing miR399f (miR399f-OE) exhibited enhanced tolerance to salt stress and exogenous ABA, but hypersensitivity to drought. Our in silico analysis identified ABF3 and CSP41b as putative target genes of miR399f, and expression analysis revealed that mRNA levels of ABF3 and CSP41b decreased remarkably in miR399f-OE plants under salt stress and in response to treatment with ABA. Moreover, we showed that activation of stress-responsive gene expression in response to salt stress and ABA treatment was impaired in miR399f-OE plants. Thus, these results suggested that in addition to phosphate starvation signaling, miR399f might also modulates plant responses to salt, ABA, and drought, by regulating the expression of newly discovered target genes such as ABF3 and CSP41b.

• Journal of the Microelectronics and Packaging Society
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.1-7
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• 2021

In this paper, by embedding a bare-die chip-type drive amplifier into the PCB composed of ABF and FR-4, it implements an embedded active device that can be applied in 28 GHz band modules. The ABF has a dielectric constant of 3.2 and a dielectric loss of 0.016. The FR-4 where the drive amplifier is embedded has a dielectric constant of 3.5 and a dielectric loss of 0.02. The proposed embedded module is processed into two structures, and S-parameter properties are confirmed with measurements. The two process structures are an embedding structure of face-up and an embedding structure of face-down. The fabricated module is measured on a designed test board using Taconic's TLY-5A(dielectric constant : 2.17, dielectric loss : 0.0002). The PCB which embedded into the face-down expected better gain performance due to shorter interconnection-line from the RF pad of the Bear-die chip to the pattern of formed layer. But it is verified that the ground at the bottom of the bear-die chip is grounded Through via, resulting in an oscillation. On the other hand, the face-up structure has a stable gain characteristic of more than 10 dB from 25 GHz to 30 GHz, with a gain of 12.32 dB at the center frequency of 28 GHz. The output characteristics of module embedded into the face-up structure are measured using signal generator and spectrum analyzer. When the input power (P_in) of the signal generator was applied from -10 dBm to 20 dBm, the gain compression point (P_1dB) of the embedded module was 20.38 dB. Ultimately, the bare-die chip used in this paper was verified through measurement that the oscillation is improved according to the grounding methods when embedding in a PCB. Thus, the module embedded into the face-up structure will be able to be properly used for communication modules in millimeter wave bands.

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.295-304
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• 2001

Characterization of quantitative trait loci (QTL) was investigated in the experimental crosses between Berkshire and Yorkshire breed. A total of 525 F$_2$ progenies from 65 matting of F$_1$ Parents were produced. Phenotypic measurements included average daily gain (ADG), average back fat thickness (ABF), and loin eye area (LEA). To identify the presence of QTL for reproductive performance, birth weight (BWT) and body weight at 16 days (16DAY) were included as indirect trait. QTL segregation was deduced using 8 markers assigned to chromosome 2 (SSC2). Quantitative trait locus analyses were performed using interval mapping by regression under line-cross model. Presence of imprinting was tested under the statistical model that separated the expression of paternally and maternally inherited alleles. To set the evidence of QTL presence, significance thresholds were derived by permutation following statistical tests, respectively. Genome scan revealed significant evidence for three quantitative trait loci (QTL) affecting growth and body compositions, of which two were identified to be QTL with imprinting expression mode near the ICF II gene region. For average back fat thickness (ABF), a paternally expressed QTL was found on chromosome 2 (SSC2). A paternally expressed QTL affecting loin eye area (LEA) was found in the region of SSC2 where evidence of imprinted QTL was found for average back fat thickness (ABF). For average daily gain (ADG), QTL expressed with Mendelian mode was found on chromosome 2 (SS2). Also, QTL affecting average daily gain (ADC), was identified to be expressed with Mendelian express mode.