• Mycobiology
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• v.46 no.4
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• pp.429-439
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• 2018

To develop a convenient promoter analysis system for fungi, a null-pigment mutant (NPG) of Aspergillus nidulans was used with the 4'-phosphopantetheinyl transferase (PPTase) gene, npgA, which restores the normal pigmentation in A. nidulans, as a new reporter gene. The functional organization of serially deleted promoter regions of the A. nidulans trpC gene and the Cryphonectria parasitica crp gene in filamentous fungi was representatively investigated to establish a novel fungal promoter assay system that depends on color complementation of the NPG mutant with the PPTase npgA gene. Several promoter regions of the trpC and crp genes were fused to the npgA gene containing the 1,034-bp open reading frame and the 966-bp 3' downstream region from the TAA, and the constructed fusions were introduced into the NPG mutant in A. nidulans to evaluate color recovery due to the transcriptional activity of the sequence elements. Serial deletion of the trpC and crp promoter regions in this PPTase reporter assay system reaffirmed results in previous reports by using the fungal transformation step without a laborious verification process. This approach suggests a more rapid and convenient system than conventional analyses for fungal gene expression studies.

• KSII Transactions on Internet and Information Systems (TIIS)
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• v.10 no.12
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• pp.5507-5528
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• 2016

In computer vision, salient object is important to extract the useful information of foreground. With active contour analysis acting as the core in this paper, we propose a bottom-up saliency detection algorithm combining with the Bayesian model and the global color distribution. Under the supports of active contour model, a more accurate foreground can be obtained as a foundation for the Bayesian model and the global color distribution. Furthermore, we establish a contour-based selection mechanism to optimize the global-color distribution, which is an effective revising approach for the Bayesian model as well. To obtain an excellent object contour, we firstly intensify the object region in the source gray-scale image by a seed-based method. The final saliency map can be detected after weighting the color distribution to the Bayesian saliency map, after both of the two components are available. The contribution of this paper is that, comparing the Harris-based convex hull algorithm, the active contour can extract a more accurate and non-convex foreground. Moreover, the global color distribution can solve the saliency-scattered drawback of Bayesian model, by the mutual complementation. According to the detected results, the final saliency maps generated with considering the global color distribution and active contour are much-improved.

• Korean Institute of Interior Design Journal
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.40-50
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• 2012

This study aims at suggesting the applicability of color combination based upon the characteristics of environmental color perception and the nuance concept of Natural Color System(NCS). The results are summarized below: First, NCS is a scientific coloring system in consideration of the relevance between people, light and environment, to be based on a phenomenological point of view. NCS can be called a psychometric model reflecting our natural color sense. Second, the color triangle established by NCS is one of the methods of expression based on the human visual mechanism, which is classified by two attributes of hue and nuance, not by the three color attributes of hue, lightness and saturation. The nuance concept of NCS implies the impression, atmosphere and tone that are perceived in colors, which are related to lightness and saturation. Accordingly, this paper suggests that the coloring arrangement emphasizing nuance and tone is more useful than hue in color planning. Third, aesthetic impression in environmental color perception is inclusive of instantly perceptive nuance, which is connected with affordance. The affordance is revealed by the different relation of similarity. In this regard, a strong relationship is noticed between color combination and the sense of pleasantness. The hypothesis regarding the complementation and similarity of contrasting nature is judged to provide observers with aesthetic order. Finally, this paper also suggests four harmonizing methods in the NCS color triangle based upon equal blackness, equal whiteness, equal chromaticness and same nuance. At the same time, opposition and a different concept of hue, lightness and lightness are combined complementarily with the nuance value to suggest patterns of color combination.

• Proceedings of the Korea Information Processing Society Conference
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• 2017.11a
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• pp.891-894
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• 2017

Lane detection algorithms became a key factor of advance driver assistance system (ADAS), since the rapidly increasing of high-technology in vehicles. However, one common problem of these algorithms is their performance's instability under various illumination conditions. We recognize a feasible complementation between image processing and color science to address the problem of lane marks detection on the road with different lighting conditions. We proposed a novel lane detection algorithm using the attributes of a uniform color space such as $CIEL^*C^*h$ with the implementation of image processing techniques, that lead to positive results. We applied at the final stage Clustering to make more accurate our lane mark estimation. The experimental results show the effectiveness of our method with detection rate of 91.80%. Moreover, the algorithm performs satisfactory with changes in illumination due to our process with lightness ($L^*$) and the color's property on $CIEL^*C^*h$.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.405-409
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• 2007

A putative type-I chalcone isomerase (CHI) cDNA clone EuNOD-CHI was previously isolated from the root nodule of Elaeagnus umbellata [Kim et al. (2003)]. To see if it encodes a functional CHI, we ectopically overexpressed it in the Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) transparent testa 5 (tt5) mutant, which is defective in naringenin production and has yellow seeds due to proanthocyanidin deficiency. Ectopic overexpression of EuNOD-CHI resulted in recovery of normal seed coat color. Naringenin produced by CHI from naringenin chalcone was detected in the transgenic lines like in the wild-type, whereas it was absent from the tt5 mutant. We conclude that EuNOD-CHI encodes a functional type-I CHI. In situ hybridization revealed that EuNOD-CHI expression is localized to the infected cells of the fixation zone in root nodules.

• BMB Reports
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• v.39 no.5
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• pp.502-510
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• 2006

2C-methyl-D-erythritol 2, 4-cyclodiphosphate synthase (MECPS, EC: 4.6.1.12) is the fifth enzyme of the non-mevalonate terpenoid pathway for isopentenyl diphosphate biosynthesis and is involved in the methylerythritol phosphate (MEP) pathway for ginkgolide biosynthesis. The full-length mecps cDNA sequence (designated as Gbmecps) was cloned and characterized for the first time from gymnosperm plant species, Ginkgo biloba, using RACE (rapid amplification of cDNA ends) technique. The full-length cDNA of Gbmecps was 874 bp containing a 720 bp open reading frame (ORF) encoding a peptide of 239 amino acids with a calculated molecular mass of 26.03 kDa and an isoelectric point of 8.83. Comparative and bioinformatic analyses revealed that GbMECPS showed extensive homology with MECPSs from other species and contained conserved residues owned by the MECPS protein family. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that GbMECPS was more ancient than other plant MECPSs. Tissue expression pattern analysis indicated that GbMECPS expressed the highest in roots, followed by in leaves, and the lowest in seeds. The color complementation assay indicated that GbMECPS could accelerate the accumulation of $\beta$-carotene. The cloning, characterization and functional analysis of GbMECPS will be helpful to understand more about the role of MECPS involved in the ginkgolides biosynthesis at the molecular level.

• Proceedings of the Microbiological Society of Korea Conference
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• 2005.05a
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• pp.159-161
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• 2005

Hypovirus infection of the chestnut blight fungus Cryphonectria parasitica is a useful model system to study the hypoviral regulation of fungal gene expression. The hypovirus is known to downregulate the fungal laccase1 (lac 1), the modulation of which is tightly governed by the inositol triphosphate ($IP_3$) and calcium second messenger system in a virus-free strain. We cloned the gene cplc1 encoding a phosphatidyl inositol-specific phospholipase C (PLC), in order to better characterize the fungal gene regulation by hypovirus. Sequence analysis of the cplc1 gene indicated that the protein product contained both the X and Y domains, which are the two conserved regions found in all known PLCs, with a 133 amino acid extension between the 2nd ${\beta}$-strand and the ${\alpha}$-helix in the X domain. In addition, the gene organization appeared to be highly similar to that of a ${\delta}$ type PLC. Disruption of the cplc1 gene resulted in slow growth and produced colonies characterized by little aerial mycelia and deep orange in color. In addition, down regulation of lac1 expression was observed. However, temperature sensitivity, osmosensitivity, virulence, and other hypovirulence-associated characteristics did not differ from the wild-type strain. Functional complementation of the cplc1-null mutant with the PLC1 gene from Saccharomyces cerevisiae restored lac1 expression, which suggests that the cloned gene encodes PLC activity. The present study indicates that the cplc1 gene is required for appropriate mycelial growth, and that it regulates the lac1 expression, which is also modulated by the hypovirus. Although several PLC genes have been identified in various simple eukaryotic organisms, the deletion analysis of the cplc1 gene in this study appears to be the first report on the functional analysis of PLC in filamentous fungi.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.31 no.10
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• pp.2873-2876
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• 2010

Excess free iron generates oxidative stress that may contribute to the pathogenesis of various causes of neurodegenerative diseases. Previous studies have shown that one of the primary causes of increased brain iron may be the release of excess iron from intracellular iron storage molecules. In this study, we attempted to characterize the oxidative damage of DNA induced by the reaction of ferritin with $H_2O_2$. When DNA was incubated with ferritin and $H_2O_2$, DNA strand breakage increased in a time-dependent manner. Hydroxyl radical scavengers strongly inhibited the ferritin/$H_2O_2$ system-induced DNA cleavage. We investigated the generation of hydroxyl radical in the reaction of ferritin with $H_2O_2$ using a chromogen, 2,2'-azinobis-(2-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonate) (ABTS), which reacted with ${\cdot}OH$ to form $ABTS^{+\cdot}$. The initial rate of $ABTS^{+\cdot}$ formation increased as a function of incubation time. These results suggest that DNA strand breakage is mediated in the reaction of ferritin with $H_2O_2$ via the generation of hydroxyl radicals. The iron-specific chelator, deferoxamine, also inhibited DNA cleavage. Spectrophotometric study using a color reagent showed that the release of iron from $H_2O_2$-treated ferritin increased in a time-dependent manner. Ferritin enhanced mutation of the lacZ' gene in the presence of $H_2O_2$ when measured as a loss of $\alpha$-complementation. These results indicate that ferritin/$H_2O_2$ system-mediated DNA cleavage and mutation may be attributable to hydroxyl radical generation via a Fenton-like reaction of free iron ions released from oxidatively damaged ferritin.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.15-21
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• 2013

We previously observed that Bacillus subtilis spores from sspE mutants presented a lower germination capacity in media containing high salt concentrations (0.9M NaCl). This deficiency was attributed to the absence of SASP-E (gamma-type small-acid-soluble protein), rich in osmocompatible amino acids released by degradation. Herein we observed that, in addition, this mutant spore presented a reduced capacity to use L-alanine as germinant (L-ala pathway), required longer times to germinate in calcium dipicolinate ($Ca^{2+}$-DPA), but germinated well in asparagine, glucose, fructose, and potassium chloride (AGFK pathway). Moreover, mild sonic treatment of mutant spores partially recovered their germination capacity in L-ala. Spore qualities were also altered, since sporulating colonies from the sspE mutant showed a pale brownish color, a higher adherence to agar plates, and lower autofluorescence, properties related to their spore coat content. Furthermore, biochemical analysis showed a reduced partition in hexadecane and a higher content of $Ca^{2+}$-DPA when compared with its isogenic wild-type control. Coat protein preparations showed a different electrophoretic pattern, in particular when detected with antibodies against CotG and CotE. The complementation with a wild-type sspE gene in a plasmid allowed for recovering the wild-type coat phenotype. This is the first report of a direct involvement of SASP-E in the spore coat assembly during the differentiation program of sporulation.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.398-407
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• 2018

The Purple pericarp (Prp) trait is a trait often bred for in black rice. Generally, the Prp trait is displayed in the color variations of seeds following the 9:3:4 purple, brown, and white ratio, respectively. The Prp trait is a recessive epistasis of two gene interactions; however, it is caused by the two complementation genes Pb and Pp. Here we present a study of the genetic characteristics of the Prp trait using an $F_1$ hybrid with a Pbpb Pppp genotype. This hybrid generated four seed colors with the following numbers: 3 dark purple, 6 medium purple, 3 brown, and 4 white (or 9 purple, 3 brown, and 4 white). However, further biochemical analysis of the all progenies divided them into two groups. One group had the Pb_ Pp_ allelic constitutions and contained cyanidin 3-O-glucoside (C3G) in both the dark purple or medium purple seeds. The other group, however, was absent of C3G in both the brown and white seeds, resulting in a ratio of 9:7, respectively. This segregation revealed the extended Mendelian 9:7 ratios of the complementary gene interactions with a good fitness in ${\chi}^2$ analysis. Further analysis revealed that brown seeds with the Pb_ pppp genotype corresponded with a null C3G, indicating that the Brown pericarp trait in rice is caused by a dominant allele of the Pb gene. Therefore, we conclude that the production of C3G is a main phenotype of the black and purple colored rice in the Prp trait, and it is governed by the complementary gene interactions between Pb and Pp genes.