• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Crop Science Conference
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• 2017.06a
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• pp.149-149
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• 2017

The RING (Really Interesting New Gene) finger proteins are known to play crucial roles in various abiotic stresses in plants. In this study, we report on RING finger E3 ligase, ${\underline{O}ryza}$ ${\underline{s}ativa}$ ${\underline{s}alt$-, ${\underline{A}BA}$- and ${\underline{d}rounght}$ stress-${\underline{i}nduced}$ RING finger ${\underline{p}}rotein{\underline{1}}$ gene (OsSAD1). In vitro ubiquitination assay demonstrated that unlike OsSAD1, a single amino acid substitution ($OsSAD1^{C168A}$) of the RING domain showed no E3 ligase activity, supporting the notion that the activity of most E3s is specified by a RING domain. Result of Yeast-Two hybridization, In vivo protein degradation assay supports that OsSAD1 interacting with 3 substrate, OsSNAC2, OsGRAS44 and OsPIRIN1, and mediates proteolysis of 3 substrates via the 26S proteasome pathway. Subcellular localizations of OsSAD1 while approximately 62% of transient signals were detected in cytosol, 38% of signals were showed nucleus. However, transiently expression of OsSAD1 was detected in cytosol 30% while as 70% of nucleus under 200 mM salt treated rice protoplasts. Results of bimolecular fluorescence complementation (BiFC) showed that two nucleus-localized proteins (OsSNAC2 and OsGRAS44) interacted with OsSAD1 in the both cytosol and nucleus. Heterogeneous overexpression of OsSAD1 Heterogeneous overexpresssion of OsSAD1 in Arabidopsis exhibited sensitive phenotypes with respect to Salt-, mannitol-responsive seed germination, seedling growth. In ABA conditions, OsSAD1 overexpression plants showed highly tolerance phenotypes, such as root length and stomatal closure. Our findings suggest that the OsSAD1 may play a negative regulator in salt stress response by modulating levels of its target proteins.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Crop Science Conference
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• 2017.06a
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• pp.109-109
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• 2017

The core components of ABA-dependent gene expression signaling have been identified in Arabidopsis and rice. This signaling pathway consists of four major components; group A OsbZIPs, SAPKs, subclass A OsPP2Cs and OsPYL/RCARs in rice. These might be able to make thousands of combinations through interaction networks resulting in diverse signaling responses. We tried to characterize those gene functions using transient gene expression for rice protoplasts (TGERP) because it is instantaneous and convenient system. Firstly, in order to monitor the ABA signaling output, we developed reporter system named pRab16A-fLUC which consists of Rab16A promoter of rice and luciferase gene. It responses more rapidly and sensitively to ABA than pABRC3-fLUC that consists of ABRC3 of HVA1 promoter in TGERP. We screened the reporter responses for over-expression of each signaling components from group A OsbZIPs to OsPYL/RCARs with or without ABA in TGERP. OsbZIP46 induced reporter most strongly among OsbZIPs tested in the presence of ABA. SAPKs could activate the OsbZIP46 even in the ABA independence. Subclass A OsPP2C6 and -8 almost completely inhibited the OsbZIP46 activity in the different degree through the SAPK9. Lastly, OsPYL/RCAR2 and -5 rescued the OsbZIP46 activity in the presence of SAPK9 and OsPP2C6 dependent on ABA concentration and expression level. By using TGERP, we could characterize successfully the effects of ABA dependent gene expression signaling components in rice. In conclusion, TGERP represents very useful technology to study systemic functional genomics in rice or other monocots.

• The Plant Pathology Journal
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.58-67
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• 2014

The multifunctional triple gene block protein 1 (TGB1) of the Potexvirus Alternanthera mosaic virus (AltMV) has been reported to have silencing suppressor, cell-to-cell movement, and helicase functions. Yeast two hybrid screening using an Arabidopsis thaliana cDNA library with TGB1 as bait, and co-purification with TGB1 inclusion bodies identified several host proteins which interact with AltMV TGB1. Host protein interactions with TGB1 were confirmed by biomolecular fluorescence complementation, which showed positive TGB1 interaction with mitochondrial ATP synthase delta' chain subunit (ATP synthase delta'), light harvesting chlorophyll-protein complex I subunit A4 (LHCA4), chlorophyll a/b binding protein 1 (LHB1B2), chloroplast-localized IscA-like protein (ATCPISCA), and chloroplast ${\beta}$-ATPase. However, chloroplast ${\beta}$-ATPase interacts only with $TGB1_{L88}$, and not with weak silencing suppressor $TGB1_{L88}$. This selective interaction indicates that chloroplast ${\beta}$-ATPase is not required for AltMV movement and replication; however, TRV silencing of chloroplast ${\beta}$-ATPase in Nicotiana benthamiana induced severe tissue necrosis when plants were infected by AltMV $TGB1_{L88}$ but not AltMV $TGB1_{L88}$, suggesting that ${\beta}$-ATPase selectively responded to $TGB1_{L88}$ to induce defense responses.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Plant Biotechnology Conference
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• 2005.11a
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• pp.9-21
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• 2005

To study the biochemical and physiological role of the plastidic glucose transporter (pGlcT) in carbohydrate metabolism, we characterized transgenic plants with mutations in the pGlcT gene (GT), gt-1 and gt-2, as well double mutants of GT and the maltose transporter (MEX1) and GT and the triose phosphate/phosphate translocator (TPT), GT and the cytosolic fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase gene (cFBP), and MEX1 and TPT, gt-1/mex2, gt-1/tpt-2, gt-1/cfbp-1, mex1-1/tpt-2, respectively. Compared to the wild type, all mutants except the gt-1/cfbp-1 mutant lines displayed higher starch accumulation and higher levels of maltose. Starch accumulation is due to a decrease in starch turnover, leading to an imbalance between the rates of synthesis and degradation. Sucrose levels of gt alleles were higher than those in wild-type plants during the light period, suggesting possible nightly supplementation via the maltose transport pathway to maintain proper carbohydrate partitioning in the plant leaves. The gt plants displayed less growth retardation than mex1-1 mutant and gt-1/mex2 double mutant displayed accumulativesevere growth retardation as compared to individual gt-1 and mex1-1 mutants, implying that the maltose transporter-mediated pathway is a major route for carbohydrate partitioning at night. The gt-1/tpt-2, mex1-1/tpt-2 and gt-1/cfbp-1 double mutants had retarded growth and low chlorophyll content to differing degrees, indicating that photosynthetic capacity had diminished. Interestingly, the gt-1/tpt-2 line displayed a glucose-insensitive phenotype and higher germination rates than wild type, suggesting its involvement not only in carbon partitioning, but also in the sugar signaling network of the pGlcT and TPT.

• Plant Biotechnology Reports
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.27-34
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• 2011

Jasmonates control diverse plant developmental processes, such as seed germination, flower, fruit and seed development, senescence and tuberization in potato. To understand the role of methyl jasmonate (MeJA) in potato tuberization, the Arabidopsis JMT gene encoding jasmonic acid carboxyl methyltransferase was constitutively overexpressed in transgenic potato plants. Increases in tuber yield and size as well as in vitro tuberization frequency were observed in transgenic plants. These were correlated with JMT mRNA level-- the higher expression level, the higher the tuber yield and size. The levels of jasmonic acid (JA), MeJA and tuberonic acid (TA) were also higher than those in control plants. Transgenic plants also exhibited higher expression of jasmonate-responsive genes such as those for allene oxide cyclase (AOC) and proteinase inhibitor II (PINII). These results indicate that JMT overexpression induces jasmonate biosynthesis genes and thus JA and TA pools in transgenic potatoes. This results in enhanced tuber yield and size in transgenic potato plants.

• Plant Biotechnology Reports
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.71-77
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• 2011

Drought and salinity are the most important abiotic stresses that affect the normal growth and development of plants. Glycine betaine is one of the most important osmolytes present in higher plants that enable them to cope with environmental stresses through osmotic adjustment. In this study, a betaine aldehyde dehydrogenase (BADH) gene from spinach under the control of the stress-induced promoter rd29A from Arabidopsis thaliana was introduced into potato cultivar Gannongshu 2 by the Agrobacterium tumefaciens system. Putative transgenic plants were confirmed by Southern blot analysis. Northern hybridization analysis demonstrated that expression of BADH gene was induced by drought and NaCl stress in the transgenic potato plants. The BADH activity in the transgenic potato plants was between 10.8 and 11.7 U. There was a negative relationship (y = -2.2083x + 43.329, r = 0.9495) between BADH activity and the relative electrical conductivity of the transgenic potato plant leaves. Plant height increased by 0.4-0.9 cm and fresh weight per plant increased by 17-29% for the transgenic potato plants under NaCl and polyethylene glycol stresses compared with the control potato plants. These results indicated that the ability of transgenic plants to tolerate drought and salt was increased when their BADH activity was increased.

• Journal of Crop Science and Biotechnology
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.147-158
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• 2007

Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. glycines(Xag) is a pathogen that causes bacterial leaf pustule(BLP) disease in soybeans grown in Korea and the southern United States. Typical and early symptoms of the disease are small, yellow to brown lesions with raised pustules that develop into large necrotic lesions leading to a substantial loss in yield due to premature defoliation. After Xag infects PI 96188, only pustules without chlorotic haloes were observed, indicating the different response to Xag. To identify differentially expressed genes prior to and 24 hr after Xag inoculation to PI 96188 and BLP-resistant SS2-2, an oligonucleotide macroarray was constructed with 100 genes related to disease resistance and metabolism from soybean and Arabidopsis. After cDNAs from each genotype were applied on the oligonucleotide macroarrays with three replicates and dye swapping, 36 and 81 genes were expressed as significantly different between 0 hr and 24 hr in PI 96188 and SS2-2, respectively. Six UniGenes, such as the leucine-rich repeat protein precursor or 14-3-3-like protein, were selected because they down-regulated in PI 96188 and up-regulated in SS2-2 after Xag infection, simultaneously. Using tubulin and cDNA of Jangyeobkong(BLP-susceptible) as controls, the oligonucleotide macroarray data concurred with quantitative real-time RT-PCR(QRT RT-PCR) results in most cases, supporting the accuracy of the oligonucleotide macroarray experiments. Also, QRT RT-PCR data suggested six candidate genes that might be involved in a necrotic response to Xag in PI 96188.

• Plant Biotechnology Reports
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• v.5 no.3
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• pp.245-254
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• 2011

This study describes an efficient protocol for Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation of two subgroups of genotype AAA bananas (Musa acuminata cv. Pei Chiao and Musa acuminata cv. Gros Michel). Instead of using suspension cells, cauliflower-like bud clumps, also known as multiple bud clumps (MBC), were induced from sucker buds on MS medium containing $N^6$-Benzylaminopurine (BA), Thidiazuron (TDZ), and Paclobutrazol (PP333). Bud slices were co-cultivated with A. tumefaciens C58C1 or EHA105 that carry a plasmid containing Arabidopsis root-type ferredoxin gene (Atfd3) and a plant ferredoxin-like protein (pflp) gene, respectively. These two strains showed differences in transformation efficiency. The EHA105 strain was more sensitive in Pei Chiao, 51.3% bud slices were pflp-transformed, and 12.6% slices were Atfd3-transformed. Gros Michel was susceptible to C58C1 and the transformation efficiency is 4.4% for pflp and 13.1% for Atfd3. Additionally, gene integration of the putative pflp was confirmed by Southern blot. Resulting from the pathogen inoculation assay, we found that the pflp transgenic banana exhibited resistance to Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense tropical race 4. This protocol is highly advantageous to banana cultivars that have difficulties in setting up suspension cultures for the purpose of quality improvement through genetic transformation. In addition, this protocol would save at least 6 months in obtaining explants for transformation and reduce labor for weekly subculture in embryogenic cell suspension culture systems.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.153-165
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• 2010

Brassica rapa is considered an ideal candidate to act as a reference species for Brassica genomic studies. Among the three basic Brassica species, B. rapa (AA genome) has the smallest genome (529 Mbp), compared to B. nigra (BB genome, 632 Mbp) and B. oleracea (CC genome, 696 Mbp). There is also a large collection of available cultivars of B. rapa, as well as a broad array of B. rapa genomic resources available. Under international consensus, various genomic studies on B. rapa have been conducted, including the construction of a physical map based on 22.5X genome coverage, end sequencing of 146,000 BACs, sequencing of >150,000 expressed sequence tags, and successful phase 2 shotgun sequencing of 589 euchromatic region-tiling BACs based on comparative positioning with the Arabidopsis genome. These sequenced BACs mapped onto the B. rapa genome provide beginning points for genome sequencing of each chromosome. Applying this strategy, all of the 10 chromosomes of B. rapa have been assigned to the sequencing centers in seven countries, Korea, UK, China, India, Canada, Australia, and Japan. The two longest chromosomes, A3 and A9, have been sequenced except for several gaps, by NAAS in Korea. Meanwhile a China group, including IVF and BGI, performed whole genome sequencing with Illumina system. These Sanger and NGS sequence data will be integrated to assemble a draft sequence of B. rapa. The imminent B. rapa genome sequence offers novel insights into the organization and evolution of the Brassica genome. In parallel, the transfer of knowledge from B. rapa to other Brassica crops would be expected.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.293-301
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• 2016

High-quality gene sets are necessary for functional research of genes. Although Perilla is a commonly cultivated oil crop and vegetable crop in Southeast Asia, the quality of its available gene set is insufficient. To construct a high-quality Perilla gene set, we sequenced mRNAs extracted from different tissues of Perilla citriodora, the wild species (2n = 20) of Perilla. To make a high-quality gene set for P. citriodora, we compared the quality of assemblies produced by Velvet and Trinity, the two well-known de novo assemblers, and improved the de novo assembly pipeline by optimizing k-mers and removing redundant sequences. We then selected representative transcripts for loci according to several criteria. The improved assembly yielded a total of 86,396 transcripts and 38,413 representative transcripts. We evaluated the assembled transcripts by comparing them to 638 homologous Arabidopsis genes involved in fatty acid and TAG biosynthesis pathways. High proportions of full-length genes and transcripts in the assembled transcripts matched known genes in other species, indicating that the P. citriodora gene set can be applied in future functional studies. Our study provides a reference P. citriodora gene set for further studies. It will serve as valuable genetic resource to elucidate the molecular basis of various metabolisms.