• BMB Reports
• /
• v.42 no.1
• /
• pp.28-34
• /
• 2009

To understand the molecular mechanism underlying proline accumulation in Brassica napus, cDNAs encoding ${\Delta}^1$-pyrroline-5-carboxylate synthetase (BnP5CS), ornithine $\delta$-aminotransferase (BnOAT) and proline dehydrogenase (BnPDH) were isolated and characterized. Southern blot analysis of BnP5CSs in B. napus and its diploid ancestors suggested a gene loss may have occurred during evolution. The expression of BnP5CS1 and BnP5CS2 was induced, while the expression of BnPDH was inhibited under salt stress, ABA treatment and dehydration, prior to proline accumulation. The upregulation of BnOAT expression was only detected during prolonged severe osmotic stress. Our results indicate that stress-induced proline accumulation in B. napus results from the reciprocal action of activated biosynthesis and inhibited proline degradation. Whether the ornithine pathway is activated depends on the severity of stress. During development, proline content was high in reproductive organs and was accompanied by markedly high expression of BnP5CS and BnPDH, suggesting possible roles of proline during flower development.

• Animal Bioscience
• /
• v.36 no.7
• /
• pp.991-1002
• /
• 2023

Objective: This study aimed to elucidate the underlying gene regions responsible for productive, phenotypic or adaptive traits in different ecological types of Tibetan sheep and the discovery of important genes encoding valuable traits. Methods: We used whole-genome resequencing to explore the genetic relationships, phylogenetic tree, and population genetic structure analysis. In addition, we identified 28 representative Tibetan sheep single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and genomic selective sweep regions with different traits in Tibetan sheep by fixation index (Fst) and the nucleotide diversity (θπ) ratio. Results: The genetic relationships analysis showed that each breed partitioned into its own clades and had close genetic relationships. We also identified many potential breed-specific selective sweep regions, including genes associated with hypoxic adaptability (MTOR, TRHDE, PDK1, PTPN9, TMTC2, SOX9, EPAS1, PDGFD, SOCS3, TGFBR3), coat color (MITF, MC1R, ERCC2, TCF25, ITCH, TYR, RALY, KIT), wool traits (COL4A2, ERC2, NOTCH2, ROCK1, FGF5, SOX9), and horn phenotypes (RXFP2). In particular, a horn-related gene, RXFP2, showed the four most significantly associated SNP loci (g. 29481646 A>G, g. 29469024 T>C, g. 29462010 C>T, g. 29461968 C>T) and haplotypes. Conclusion: This finding demonstrates the potential for genetic markers in future molecular breeding programs to improve selection for horn phenotypes. The results will facilitate the understanding of the genetic basis of production and adaptive unique traits in Chinese indigenous Tibetan sheep taxa and offer a reference for the molecular breeding of Tibetan sheep.

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
• /
• 2011.02a
• /
• pp.499-499
• /
• 2011

Silicon nanowires (Si NWs) have been extensively studied for nanoelectronics owing to their unique optical and electrical properties different from those of bulk silicon. For the development of Si NW devices, better understanding of oxidation behavior in Si NWs would be an important issue. For example, it is widely known that atomic scale roughness at the dielectric (SiOx)/channel (Si) interface can significantly affect the device performance in the nano-scale devices. However, the oxidation process at the atomic-scale is still unknown because of its complexity. In the present work, we investigated the oxidation behavior of Si NW in atomic scale by simulating the dry oxidation process using a reactive molecular dynamics simulation technique. We focused on the residual stress evolution during oxidation to understand the stress effect on oxidation behavior of Si NWs having two different diameters, 5 nm and 10 nm. We calculated the charge distribution according to the oxidation time for 5 and 10 nm Si NWs. Judging from this data, it was observed that the surface oxide layer started to form before it is fully oxidized, i.e., the active diffusion of oxygen in the surface oxide layer. However, it is well-known that the oxide layer formation on the Si NWs results in a compressive stress on the surface which may retard the oxygen diffusion. We focused on the stress evolution of Si NWs during the oxidation process. Since the surface oxidation results in the volume expansion of the outer shell, it shows a compressive stress along the oxide layer. Interestingly, the stress for the 10 nm Si NW exhibits larger compressive stress than that of 5 nm Si NW. The difference of stress level between 5 an 10 anm Si NWs is approximately 1 or 2 GPa. Consequently, the diameter of Si NWs could be a significant factor to determine the self-limiting oxidation behavior of Si NWs when the diameter was very small.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
• /
• v.1 no.2
• /
• pp.227-231
• /
• 1998

The teleosts represent ancient real-bony vertebrates in phylogeny and resemble major genetic patterns to higher vertebrates. In the present study, we have defined the single family of insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) from flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus), compared to the prototype of IGFs observed in the Agnathan hagfish. In flounder, IGFs are clearly diverged into two major types including type I and II, and they are structurally similar by displaying a multidomain structure consisting of five functional regions as previously found in other vertebrates. However, flIGF-I appears to be more basic (pI 8.03) than the flIGF-II (pI 5.34) in the fully processed form for the B to D domain region. The flIGF-I seems to contain an evolutionary conserved Asn-linked glycosylation in E domain, which is not found in flIGF­II. The most interesting feature is that flIGF-II appeared to be structurally close to hagfish IGF in secondary structures, particularly in Band D domains. This could tell us an idea on the molecular divergence of IGFs from the Agnatha to teleosts during the vertebrate phylogeny. It also support, in part, a notion regarding on how IGF-II is appeared as more embryonic during development. Nonetheless, the biologically active B to D domain region of flIGF-II shows significant sequence homology of $65.6\%$ to flIGF-Is and contains the evolutionary conserved insulin-family signature, as well as a reserved recognition site (Lys) in D domain, necessary to generate proteolytic cleavage for E-peptide. A significant structural difference was found in E domain in which flIGF-I possesses two potential alternative splicing donor site at $Val^{17,\;24}$ of E domain. Therefore, it seems so far that IGF-I sorely produces spliced variants due to the spliced E-peptide moiety while IGF-II appears to be maintained in a single type during evolution. IGF-II, however, may be also possible to transcribe unidentified variants, depending on the physiological conditions of tissues in vertebrates in vivo.

• Mycobiology
• /
• v.48 no.1
• /
• pp.20-28
• /
• 2020

Soil degradation can have an impact on the soil microbiota, but its specific effects on soil fungal communities are poorly understood. In this work, we studied the impact of soil degradation on the richness and diversity of communities of soil fungi, including three different degrees of degradation in Germany and Panama. Soil fungi were isolated monthly using the soil-sprinkling method for 8 months in Germany and 3 months in Panama, and characterized by morphological and molecular data. Soil physico-chemical properties were measured and correlated with the observed values of fungal diversity. We isolated a total of 71 fungal species, 47 from Germany, and 32 from Panama. Soil properties were not associated with fungal richness, diversity, or composition in soils, with the exception of soil compaction in Germany. The geographic location was a strong determinant of the soil fungal species composition although in both countries there was dominance by members of the orders Eurotiales and Hypocreales. In conclusion, the results of this work do not show any evident influence of soil degradation on communities of soil fungi in Germany or Panama.

• The Bulletin of The Korean Astronomical Society
• /
• v.43 no.1
• /
• pp.31.1-31.1
• /
• 2018

While astronomers are working hard to detect the earliest galaxies and to follow their evolution to redshift z~0, they remain baffled by the present-day dichotomy between disky, star forming (aka late-type) galaxies and quiescent, spheroidal (aka early-type) galaxies. The key is to find galaxies in transition from one class to the other, whose spectra indicate intense recent star formation that has now ended. We have identified thousands of such "post-starburst galaxies" and discovered that they are often the products of late-type galaxy-galaxy mergers. Their current kinematics, stellar populations, and morphologies are consistent with late- to early-type galaxy evolution. I will discuss recent work that suggests new connections between this violent history and the central supermassive black hole. In particular, the molecular gas reservoir of a post-starburst galaxy declines rapidly after the starburst ends and in a manner consistent with feedback from an active nucleus. Furthermore, a star is ~300x more likely to be tidally disrupted by the nucleus of a post-starburst galaxy than in other galaxies. Like the well-known black hole-bulge mass correlation, these surprising links between the properties of a galaxy on kpc scales and its supermassive black hole on pc scales require explanation.

• BMB Reports
• /
• v.50 no.1
• /
• pp.3-4
• /
• 2017

Recent advances in genome sequencing technologies have enabled humans to generate and investigate the genomes of wild species. This includes the big cat family, such as tigers, lions, and leopards. Adding the first high quality leopard genome, we have performed an in-depth comparative analysis to identify the genomic signatures in the evolution of felid to become the top predators on land. Our study focused on how the carnivore genomes, as compared to the omnivore or herbivore genomes, shared evolutionary adaptations in genes associated with nutrient metabolism, muscle strength, agility, and other traits responsible for hunting and meat digestion. We found genetic evidence that genomes represent what animals eat through modifying genes. Highly conserved genetically relevant regions were discovered in genomes at the family level. Also, the Felidae family genomes exhibited low levels of genetic diversity associated with decreased population sizes, presumably because of their strict diet, suggesting their vulnerability and critical conservation status. Our findings can be used for human health enhancement, since we share the same genes as cats with some variation. This is an example how wildlife genomes can be a critical resource for human evolution, providing key genetic marker information for disease treatment.

• Progress in Superconductivity
• /
• v.3 no.1
• /
• pp.91-94
• /
• 2001

By varying fabricating process, precursor powders with different initial conditions were prepared. Subsequently, Bi-2223/Ag tapes were made through these powders. The effects of precursor powders on the phase evolution and Jr properties of Bi-2223/Ag tapes were studied along with several thermomechanical cycles. Our results showed that the initial conditions of precursor powders could strongly influence the phase formation rate and $J_{c}$ value in final tapes. The factors of precursor powders that influence the phase formation and $J_{c}$ of Bi-2223/Ag tapes must be studied and optimized in combination.ion.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.14 no.4
• /
• pp.716-725
• /
• 2004

Sox protein family, a transcription factor, has been found in whole animal kingdom, and contains a sequence-specific DNA binding domain called high mobility group domain (HMG). The Sox protein family based on the amino acid sequence of HMG domain was classified into 10 groups. Each group of Sox family shows significant conservation from nematode to human. The HMG domain affect to various developmental cell differentiation through binding to enhancer and regulating other transcription factors. Recently, many molecular biologists focus their research on the illustration of Sox-related disease, evolution and phylogeny. Especially, stem cell research with Sox gene family is indispensable field for understanding of their biological functions. The understanding of Sox genes may contribute to understand their role in human genetic disease and whole animal evolution.

• Animal cells and systems
• /
• v.16 no.3
• /
• pp.224-229
• /
• 2012

The Korean shiner (Coreoleuciscus splendidus, Gobioninae), a small freshwater fish native to Korea Peninsula, widely inhabits in most of the major drainages in South Korea. Here we describe the development of 14 novel and polymorphic microsatellites for this species and its effective utilization in estimation of genetic diversity using 72 individuals from three sampling sites in different drainages. Loci were isolated from a microsatellite enrichment procedure using probe-labeled magnetic beads. A total of 242 alleles were detected across all loci with an average of 17.3 alleles per locus ranging 4 32. The loci varied levels of polymorphism as evident from its expecte heterozygosity ranging from 0.111 to 0.957. The average pairwise $F_{ST}$ between two populations examined shows significant differentiation ($F_{ST}$ = 0.215, p<0.05). The 14 microsatellite loci developed here will also be useful to explain for the genetic structures among geographically isolated populations and gene flow dynamics within drainages in this species as well as the closely related species.