• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.23 no.8
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• pp.1107-1115
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• 2013

The Cyt1Aa protein of Bacillus thuringiensis susbp. israelensis elaborates demonstrable toxicity to mosquito larvae, but more importantly, it enhances the larvicidal activity of this species Cry proteins (Cry11Aa, Cry4Aa, and Cry4Ba) and delays the phenotypic expression of resistance to these that has evolved in Culex quinquefasciatus. It is also known that Cyt1Aa, which is highly lipophilic, synergizes Cry11Aa by functioning as a surrogate membrane-bound receptor for the latter protein. Little is known, however, about whether Cyt1Aa can interact similarly with other Cry proteins not primarily mosquitocidal; for example, Cry2Aa, which is active against lepidopteran larvae, but essentially inactive or has very low toxicity to mosquito larvae. Here we demonstrate by ligand binding and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays that Cyt1Aa and Cry2Aa form intermolecular complexes in vitro, and in addition show that Cyt1Aa facilitates binding of Cry2Aa throughout the midgut of C. quinquefasciatus larvae. As Cry2Aa and Cry11Aa share structural similarity in domain II, the interaction between Cyt1Aa and Cry2Aa could be a result of a similar mechanism previously proposed for Cry11Aa and Cyt1Aa. Finally, despite the observed interaction between Cry2Aa and Cyt1Aa, only a 2-fold enhancement in toxicity resulted against C. quinquefasciatus. Regardless, our results suggest that Cry2Aa could be a useful component of mosquitocidal endotoxin complements being developed for recombinant strains of B. thuringiensis subsp. israelensis and B. sphaericus aimed at improving the efficacy of commercial products and avoiding resistance.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.22-30
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• 2011

Vitellogenin (Vg) is the precursor of vitellin (Vn), which is the major yolk protein in nearly all oviparous species, including fish, amphibians, reptiles, and most invertebrates. It is one of the most important factors during reproduction, and numerous studies have shown that Vg genes are markers of the reproductive cycle and effecter genes induced by endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs). Previously, we isolated two distinct cDNAs encoding vitellogenin homologs Pj-Vg1 and Pj-Vg2 from Pandalus shrimp Pandalopsis japonica. In this study, full-length genomic sequences of Pj-Vg1 and Pj-Vg2 were determined using a PCR-based genome walking strategy. Isolated Pj-Vg1 and Pj-Vg2 genes were 11,910 and 11,850 bp long, respectively. Both Pj-Vg genes had 15 exons and 14 introns, and the splicing sites were also the same, suggesting that they arose via gene duplication. The similar structural characteristics of decapod Vg genes suggest that they are all orthologs that evolved from the same ancestral gene. Analysis of Pj-Vg1 and Pj-Vg2 expression revealed that the relative copy numbers of Pj-Vg1 and Pj-Vg2 were similar in the hepatopancreas, whereas Pj-Vg2 transcripts were also detected in the ovary. Expression of both Pj-Vg genes was induced in hepatopancreas of mature individuals, whereas only Pj-Vg2 transcripts were upregulated in the ovaries from mature animals, suggesting that both Pj-Vgs are important for oocyte development. A strong positive correlation was found between Pj-Vg1 and Pj-Vg2 transcripts in the same individual, indicating they are under the same control mechanisms. Additionally, a positive correlation was found between ovarian and hepatopancreatic Pj-Vg2 transcripts, suggesting that its dual expression is regulated by similar physiological conditions. Knowledge of the similarities and differences between the two vitellogenin-like genes, Pj-Vg1 and Pj-Vg2, would help us to understand their roles in reproduction and other physiological effects.

• The Korean Journal of Malacology
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.11-24
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• 2008

GDNA was isolated from the jedo venus clam (Protothaca jedoensis, Lischke) from Boryeong (jedo venus clam from Boryeong JVCB) and Wonsan (jedo venus clam from Wonsan; JVCW) located in the West Sea and the East Sea of Korean Peninsula, respectively and we performed clustering analyses, DNA polymorphisms and the populations genetic variations. In the present study, the seven decamer primer generated the one hundred and eleven major/minor specific bands in JVCB population and ninety four-specific bands in JVCW population. Seven primers generated the unique shared bands to each population of one hundred and seventy-six, on average of 25,1, in JVCB population from Boryeong and three hundred thirty, on average of 47,1, in JVCW population from Wonsan, respectively. The dendrogram obtained by the seven oligonucleotides primers, indicates two genetic clusters. Especially, two Protothaca between the individual WONSAN no. 12 and BORYEONG no. 10 showed the longest genetic distance (0.537) in comparison with other individuals used. Accordingly, RAPD analysis showed that the JVCB was a little more genetically diverse than the JVCW population. This result implies the genetic similarity owing to rearing in the same and/or similar circumstances or inbreeding within the JVCW population. So to speak, JVCB population may have high levels of genomic DNA variability owing to the introduction of the wild individuals from the other sites to sampling sites although it may be the geographically diverse distribution of this species. However, it was confirmed that it did not appear like that really in this study. We feel convinced that RAPD analysis discovered a significant genetic distance between two Protothaca population pairs (P<0.001). The existence of population discrimination and genetic diversity between two Protothaca populations was identified by RAPD analysis.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.238-248
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• 2008

This study investigated mercury emission at various combustion conditions and analyzed mercury species in flue gas from coal combustion at a laboratory scale furnace in coal. The results of this study can be used to predict and to assess mercury emission at coal boilers and power plants. The coal used in the plants generally contains about $0.02{\sim}0.28\;mg$ of mercury per kg. Bituminous and anthracite coal used for the experiment contained 0.049 and 0.297 mg/kg of mercury, respectively. Mercury emissions during coal combustion at temperatures range of $600^{\circ}C$ to $1,400^{\circ}C$ was measured and analysed using Ontario Hydro method; the speciation changes were also observed in mercury emissions. The results showed higher fraction of elemental mercury than that of oxidised mercury at most temperatures tested in this experiment. The fraction of elemental mercury was lower in combustion of anthracite coal than in bituminous combustion. As expected, equilibrium calculations and real power plants data showed good similarity. The distribution of particle size in flue gas had the higher peak in size above $2.5\;{\mu}m$. However the peak of mercury enrichment in dust was at $0.3\;{\mu}m$, which could be easily emitted into atmosphere without filtration in combustion system. When the CEA(Chemical equilibrium and Application) code was used for combustion equilibrium calculation, Cl was found to be the important component effecting mercury oxidation, especially at the lower temperatures under $900^{\circ}C$.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.22 no.11
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• pp.1549-1556
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• 2012

Endophytic fungi were isolated from roots of six halophytes in Suncheon Bay. The endophytic fungi of 35 species isolated from halophytes were identified by internal transcribed spacer (ITS) containing the ITS1, 5.8s, and ITS2 regions. All fungal strains were analyzed to diversity at the genus level. Fungal culture filtrates (FCF) of endophytic fungi were treated to Waito-c rice (WR) seedling for plant growth-promoting verification. It was confirmed that fungal strain Sj-2-2 provided plant growth promotion (PGP) to WR seedling. Then, PGP of Suaeda japonica was confirmed by treating culture filtrate of Sj-2-2. As a result, it was verified that culture filtrate of Sj-2-2 had more advanced PGP than positive control when treated to S. japonica. The secondary metabolites involved in culture filtrate of Sj-2-2 were identified by HPLC and GC-MS SIM analysis. The presence of physiologically bioactive gibberellins (GAs) and other inactive GAs in culture filtrate of Sj-2-2 was detected. The molecular analysis of sequences of Sj-2-2 showed the similarity to Penicillium sp. of 99% homology. The PGP of Sj-2-2 as well as symbiosis between endophytic fungi and halophytes growing naturally in salt marsh was confirmed. Sj-2-2 was identified as a new fungal strain producing GAs by molecular analysis of sequences. Consequently, the Sj-2-2 fungal strain was named as Penicillium sp. Sj-2-2. In this study, the diversity of endophytic fungi isolated from roots of halophytes in salt marsh and the PGP of a new gibberellin-producing fungal strain were confirmed.

• Proceedings of the Plant Resources Society of Korea Conference
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• 2018.10a
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• pp.43-43
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• 2018

Mutation breeding by radiation is useful for improving various crop species. Up to now, a total of 170 soybean mutant varieties have been released in the world, which is the second most registered varieties after rice. Despite the economic importance of soybean, there have been no TRAP marker system studies on genetic relationships between/among mutant lines. To develop a strategy of Mutant Diversity Pool (MDP) conservation, a study on the genetic diversity of 210 soybean mutant lines (8 cultivars and 202 mutants) was performed through a TRAP analysis. Sixteen primer combinations amplified a total of 551 fragments. The highest (84.00%) and lowest (32.35%) polymorphism levels were obtained with primers MIR157B + Ga5 and B14G14B + Ga3, respectively. The mean PIC values 0.15 varied among the primer combination ranging from 0.07 in B14G14B + Sal2 to 0.23 in MIR157B + Sa4. Phylogenetic, principal component analysis (PCA) and structure analysis indicated that the 210 lines belong to four groups based on the 16 combination TRAP markers. AMOVA showed 21.0% and 79.0% variations among and within the population, respectively. Overall, the genetic similarity of each cultivar and its mutants were higher than within other mutant populations. Our results suggest that the TRAP marker system may be useful for assessing the genetic diversity among soybean mutants and help to improve our knowledge of soybean mutation breeding.

• The Korean Journal of Ecology
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.485-499
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• 1994

This study was focused on the effect of the altitude on the geographical variations of germination characteristics in the populations of Plantago asiatica L. distribute in Mt. Chiri. There was a significant difference among the 14 groups in the phenological pattern in relation to altitudes. When the altitude becomes higher, the thermal time which was required for 10 to 80% germination rate showed higher and wider distribution. On the other hand, the germination response of increasing temperature (IT) and secreasing temperature (DT) regime was classified into 3 group. The first group was the spering germination type. This group showed that the IT regime hadhigher germination rate than that of the DT regime, and was distributed in Macheon(300m) and Packmudong (500m). The second was the spring-fall germination type which was distributed in Hadong (900m) and Saemt대 (1100m). This group also showed higher germination rate in the IT regime, but the difference of the germination rate between IT and DT regime was less than that in the first group (the spring type). The third group was the early fall germination type which was found in the Nogodan (1507m), Changetomok (1750m) and Cheonwangbong (1915m). The germination rate of this group showed almost 100% similarity between IT and DT regime. These data suggested that the geographical varations of germination characteristics within species was an important ecological strategy for the survival from severe environmental conditions.

• Journal of Aquaculture
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.175-183
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• 1999

We have shown previously that the sequence of olive flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus) hsp70-related cDAN has a high similarity with those of cognate hsc70 of other species (Kim et al., 1999; J. Aquaculture, 12:91-100). In order to investigate whether this gene encodes the congate hsc70, we examined the expression of this gene in normal and heat-shocked conditions. By in vitro translation, this gene encoded a 70 kD protein which was constitutively experessed and was not induced by heat shock. This translated protein was recognized by anti-hsp/hsc70 antibody. Tests of heat-inducibility showed that this gene was constitutively expressed in normal conditions and its expression was not increased after heat shock. The expression levels of this gene were high in stomach, gill, intestine, kidney and brain, moderate in liver, and comparatively low in overy and heart. Furthermore, Northern blot analysis of transcript expression showed that the corresponding mRNA were detected throughout embryonic development in the absence of any heat shock. These results provided evidence that olive flounder hsp70-related cDNA encoded to cognate member of hsp70 family, hsc70.

• Journal of Aquaculture
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.110-117
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• 2003

We have cloned and sequenced the cDNA encoding growth hormone (GH) from pituitary poly(A)$^{+}$ RNA of red-spotted grouper (Epinephelus akaara). The cDNA of red-spotted grouper GH is 883 base pairs (bp) consisting of 21 bp of 5'untranslated region (UTR), 615 Up of an open reading frame (ORF) and 247 Up of 3'UTR. The polyadenylation signal, AATAAA, was 20 bp upsteam of polyadenylation site. Based on the nucleotide sequences, the deduced putative polypeptide contains 204 amino acids (aa), representing 17 aa of a signal and 187 aa of a mature polypeptide. The putative GH cDNA encodes a polypeptide with four cysteine residues and only one N-gly- cosylation site. Comparative sequence alignment shows that red-spotted grouper GH exhibits high similarity with its corresponding other Perciformes species GH cDNAs.

• Journal of Mushroom
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.175-180
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• 2015

Twenty Inter simple sequence repeat (ISSR) primers were used to assess genetic diversity of 64 Agaricus strains including 45 A. bisporus strains and other 19 Agaricus spp. ISSR primers, (GA)T, (AG)YC, (GA)C and (CTC) amplified PCR polymorphic bands between the Agaricus species or within A. bisporus strains. PCR polymorphic bands were inputted for UPGMA cluster analysis. The varieties, Saea, Saedo, Saejeong and Saeyeon that have recently been developed in Korea were involved in the same group with closely genetic relationship of coefficient similarity over 0.92, whereas, other Korean strains were genetically related to A. bisporus strains that were introduced from USA, Eroupe and Chinese. Furthermore, ISSR-PCR polymorphism could potentially be used to identify homokaryon isolates.