• Molecules and Cells
• /
• 제27권4호
• /
• pp.429-441
• /
• 2009

We have determined the complete mitochondrial genome of the yellow-spotted long horned beetle, Psacothea hilaris (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae), an endangered insect species in Korea. The 15,856-bp long P. hilaris mitogenome harbors gene content typical of the animal mitogenome and a gene arrangement identical to the most common type found in insect mitogenomes. As with all other sequenced coleopteran species, the 5-bp long TAGTA motif was also detected in the intergenic space sequence located between $tRNA^{Ser}$(UCN) and ND1 of P. hilaris. The 1,190-bp long non-coding A+T-rich region harbors an unusual series of seven identical repeat sequences of 57-bp in length and several stretches of sequences with the potential to form stem-and-loop structures. Furthermore, it contains one $tRNA^{Arg}$-like sequence and one $tRNA^{Lys}$-like sequence. Phylogenetic analysis among available coleopteran mitogenomes using the concatenated amino acid sequences of PCGs appear to support the sister group relationship of the suborder Polyphaga to all remaining suborders, including Adephaga, Myxophaga, and Archostemata. Among the two available infraorders in Polyphaga, a monophyletic Cucujiformia was confirmed, with the placement of Cleroidea as the basal lineage for Cucujiformia. On the other hand, the infraorder Elateriformia was not identified as monophyletic, thereby indicating that Scirtoidea and Buprestoidea are the basal lineages for Cucujiformia and the remaining Elateriformia.

• Molecules and Cells
• /
• 제46권9호
• /
• pp.538-544
• /
• 2023

The formation of uniform vitreous ice is a crucial step in the preparation of samples for cryogenic electron microscopy (cryo-EM). Despite the rapid technological progress in EM, controlling the thickness of vitreous ice on sample grids with reproducibility remains a major obstacle to obtaining high-quality data in cryo-EM imaging. The commonly employed classical blotting process faces the problem of excess water that cannot be absorbed by the filter paper, resulting in the formation of thick and heterogeneous ice. In this study, we propose a novel approach that combines the recently developed nanowire self-wicking technique with the classical blotting method to effectively control the thickness and homogeneity of vitrified ice. With simple procedures, we generated a copper oxide spike (COS) grid by inducing COSs on commercially available copper grids, which can effectively remove excess water during the blotting procedure without damaging the holey carbon membrane. The ice thickness could be controlled with good reproducibility compared to non-oxidized grids. Incorporated into other EM techniques, our new modification method is an effective option for obtaining high-quality data during cryo-EM imaging.

• Molecules and Cells
• /
• 제20권1호
• /
• pp.30-34
• /
• 2005

This study was carried out to identify a high-resolution marker for a gene conferring resistance to brown planthopper (BPH) biotype 1, using japonica type resistant lines. Bulked segregant analyses were conducted using 520 RAPD primers to identify RAPD fragments linked to the BPH resistance gene. Eleven RAPDs were shown to be polymorphic amplicons between resistant and susceptible progeny. One of these primers, OPE 18, which amplified a 923 bp band tightly linked to resistance, was converted into a sequence-tagged-site (STS) marker. The STS marker, BpE18-3, was easily detectable as a dominant band with tight linkage (3.9cM) to Bph1. It promises to be useful as a marker for assisted selection of resistant progeny in backcross breeding programs to introgress the resistance gene into elite japonica cultivars.

• 대한의생명과학회지
• /
• 제13권2호
• /
• pp.157-160
• /
• 2007

Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) plays formation of disulfide bonds and proper folding of secretory proteins. Cellular responses to ER stress enhances the stress-activated kinase pathway and the induces a lot of immediate-early genes. Among of them, the early growth response-1 (Egr-1), a transcription factor, which plays an important role in cell growth, development, differentiation, apoptosis and various types of injury. For that reason, we have tested the expression of Egr-1 against ER stress inducible drugs (tunicamycin, DTT, A23187 and BFA) to understand what kind of aspect occurred by ER stresses.

• Journal of Crop Science and Biotechnology
• /
• 제11권1호
• /
• pp.1-6
• /
• 2008

The covalent conjugation of SUMO(Small Ubiquitin-related MOdifier) protein to its substrates regulates numerous cellular processes, including protein stability and activity in eukaryotes as well as in plants. In this present review, we summarize biochemical aspects of SUMO conjugation and deconjugation and the functions of SUMO and sumoylation-related proteins in Arabidopsis and other plants. In particular, we provide an overview of the roles of the SUMO in widely different biological processes including the ABA response, floral induction, pathogen defense, abiotic stresses and hormone signaling. Furthermore, we explore the possible roles of SUMO in embryo and seed development.

• Molecules and Cells
• /
• 제38권5호
• /
• pp.390-395
• /
• 2015

Degradation of chlorophyll (Chl) by Chl catabolic enzymes (CCEs) causes the loss of green color that typically occurs during senescence of leaves. In addition to CCEs, STAYGREEN1 (SGR1) functions as a key regulator of Chl degradation. Although sgr1 mutants in many plant species exhibit a staygreen phenotype, the biochemical function of the SGR1 protein remains elusive. Many recent studies have examined the physiological and molecular roles of SGR1 and its homologs (SGR2 and SGR-LIKE) in Chl metabolism, finding that these proteins have different roles in different species. In this review, we summarize the recent studies on SGR and discuss the most likely functions of SGR homologs.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
• /
• 제50권
• /
• pp.255-266
• /
• 2023

Hyperhydricity is a physiological anomaly that significantly affects the growth and proliferation rate of crops cultivated by tissue culture techniques. To better understand the mechanisms that govern hyperhydricity incidence, we examined the effects of several media components, particularly cytokinin and gelling agents. These elements were found to be influential in both in vitro propagation and the development of hyperhydricity. Our study revealed that Arabidopsis thaliana seedlings had a greater manifestation of hyperhydricity symptoms when exposed to high cytokinin concentrations compared with the control. The presence of gelrite led to the manifestation of hyperhydric symptoms by elevated water build-up in the apoplast. The phenomenon of stomata closure was observed in the hyperhydric leaves, resulting in an increased ability to retain water and a decrease in the transpiration rates when compared to their respective control leaves. Additionally, histological examinations of the cross sections of hyperhydric leaves revealed an irregular cellular arrangement and large intercellular spaces. Furthermore, hyperhydric seedlings displayed impaired cuticular development in comparison to their normal seedlings.

• Molecules and Cells
• /
• 제44권11호
• /
• pp.830-842
• /
• 2021

When perceiving microbe-associated molecular patterns (MAMPs) or plant-derived damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs), plants alter their root growth and development by displaying a reduction in the root length and the formation of root hairs and lateral roots. The exogenous application of a MAMP peptide, flg22, was shown to affect root growth by suppressing meristem activity. In addition to MAMPs, the DAMP peptide PEP1 suppresses root growth while also promoting root hair formation. However, the question of whether and how these elicitor peptides affect the development of the vascular system in the root has not been explored. The cellular receptors of PEP1, PEPR1 and PEPR2 are highly expressed in the root vascular system, while the receptors of flg22 (FLS2) and elf18 (EFR) are not. Consistent with the expression patterns of PEP1 receptors, we found that exogenously applied PEP1 has a strong impact on the division of stele cells, leading to a reduction of these cells. We also observed the alteration in the number and organization of cells that differentiate into xylem vessels. These PEP1-mediated developmental changes appear to be linked to the blockage of symplastic connections triggered by PEP1. PEP1 dramatically disrupts the symplastic movement of free green fluorescence protein (GFP) from phloem sieve elements to neighboring cells in the root meristem, leading to the deposition of a high level of callose between cells. Taken together, our first survey of PEP1-mediated vascular tissue development provides new insights into the PEP1 function as a regulator of cellular reprogramming in the Arabidopsis root vascular system.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• 제28권11호
• /
• pp.1525-1531
• /
• 2015

Using next-generation sequencing, we conducted a genome-wide scan of selective sweeps associated with selection toward genetic improvement in Thoroughbreds. We investigated potential phenotypic consequence of putative candidate loci by candidate gene association mapping for the finishing time in 240 Thoroughbred horses. We found a significant association with the trait for Ral GApase alpha 2 (RALGAP2) that regulates a variety of cellular processes of signal trafficking. Neighboring genes around RALGAP2 included insulinoma-associated 1 (INSM1), pallid (PLDN), and Ras and Rab interactor 2 (RIN2) genes have similar roles in signal trafficking, suggesting that a co-evolving gene cluster located on the chromosome 22 is under strong artificial selection in racehorses.

• Current Research on Agriculture and Life Sciences
• /
• 제30권1호
• /
• pp.1-11
• /
• 2012

We identified cdf based on screening of the Arabidopsis cDNA library for functional suppressors of the AtBI-1 (a gene described to suppress the cell death induced by Bax gene expression in yeast). The cdf was located on Chr. V and was composed of 5 exons and 4 introns. It encodes a protein of 258 amino acid residues with a molecular weight of 28.8 kDa. The protein has 3 transmembrane domains in the C-terminal region. The cdf has one homologue, named cdf2, which was found in Arabidopsis. Like cdf, cdf2 also induced growth defect in yeast. The effect of the cell growth defect factor was somewhat lower than Bax. cdf could arrest the growth of yeast. Its localization to the nucleus was essential for the suppression of yeast cell proliferation. Morphological abnormality of intracellular network, which is a hallmark of AtBI-1, was attenuated by expression of cdf.