• Molecules and Cells
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• 제39권3호
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• pp.250-257
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• 2016

Abiotic stresses such as drought and low temperature critically restrict plant growth, reproduction, and productivity. Higher plants have developed various defense strategies against these unfavorable conditions. CaPUB1 (Capsicum annuum Putative U-box protein 1) is a hot pepper U-box E3 Ub ligase. Transgenic Arabidopsis plants that constitutively expressed CaPUB1 exhibited drought-sensitive phenotypes, suggesting that it functions as a negative regulator of the drought stress response. In this study, CaPUB1 was over-expressed in rice (Oryza sativa L.), and the phenotypic properties of transgenic rice plants were examined in terms of their drought and cold stress tolerance. Ubi:CaPUB1 T3 transgenic rice plants displayed phenotypes hypersensitive to dehydration, suggesting that its role in the negative regulation of drought stress response is conserved in dicot Arabidopsis and monocot rice plants. In contrast, Ubi:CaPUB1 progeny exhibited phenotypes markedly tolerant to prolonged low temperature ($4^{\circ}C$) treatment, compared to those of wild-type plants, as determined by survival rates, electrolyte leakage, and total chlorophyll content. Cold stress-induced marker genes, including DREB1A, DREB1B, DREB1C, and Cytochrome P450, were more up-regulated by cold treatment in Ubi:CaPUB1 plants than in wild-type plants. These results suggest that CaPUB1 serves as both a negative regulator of the drought stress response and a positive regulator of the cold stress response in transgenic rice plants. This raises the possibility that CaPUB1 participates in the cross-talk between drought and low-temperature signaling pathways.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제13권4호
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• pp.598-606
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• 2003

Salmonella encodes an enterotoxin (Stn) which possesses biological activity similar to the cholera toxin. Stn contributes significantly to the overall virulence of S. typhimurium in a murine model. The production of Stn is enhanced in a high-osmolarity medium and by contact with epithelial cells. In the present study, the in vitro and in vivo transcriptional regulations of the sin promoter revealed two promoters, P1 and P2. The P1 promoter identified by a primer extension analysis of stn mRNA exhibited a switching mechanism in vivo. Depending on the growth stage, transcription was initiated from different start sites termed $P1_S\;and\;P1_E$. $P1_S$, recognized by RNA polymerase containing ${\sigma}^S(E{\sigma}^S),\;and\;P1_E$, recognized by $E{\sigma}^70$, were activated during the stationary and exponential phases, respectively, while $P1_S\;and\;P1_E$ were both negatively regulated by CRPㆍcAMP and H-NS. Results revealed that $P1_S$ was the responsible promoter activated under a high osmolarity and low pH. The P2 promoter was identified 45 nucleotides downstream from $P1_E$ and negatively controlled by CRPㆍcAMP in vitro. No P2 activity was detected in vivo. The regulation of stn expression monitored using a Pstn::egfp fusion indicated that $E{\sigma}^S$ was required for the induction of stn and various factors were involved in stn regulation inside animal cells.

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제28권5호
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• pp.479-487
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• 2009

Glutathione reductase (GR) is an enzyme that recycles a key cellular antioxidant molecule glutathione (GSH) from its oxidized form (GSSG) thus maintaining cellular redox homeostasis. A recombinant plasmid to overexpress a GR of Brassica rapa subsp. pekinensis (BrGR) in E. coli BL21 (DE3) was constructed using an expression vector pKM260. Expression of the introduced gene was confirmed by semi-quantitative RT-PCR, immunoblotting and enzyme assays. Purification of the BrGR protein was performed by IMAC method and indicated that the BrGR was a dimmer. The BrGR required NADPH as a cofactor and specific activity was approximately 458 U. The BrGR-expressing E. coli cells showed increased GR activity and tolerance to $H_2O_2$, menadione, and heavy metal ($CdCl_2$, $ZnCl_2$ and $AlCl_2$)-mediated growth inhibition. The ectopic expression of BrGR provoked the co-regulation of a variety of antioxidant enzymes including catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase. Consequently, the transformed cells showed decreased hydroperoxide levels when exposed to stressful conditions. A proteomic analysis demonstrated the higher level of induction of proteins involved in glycolysis, detoxification/oxidative stress response, protein folding, transport/binding proteins, cell envelope/porins, and protein translation and modification when exposed to $H_2O_2$ stress. Taken together, these results indicate that the plant GR protein is functional in a cooperative way in the E. coli system to protect cells against oxidative stress.

• Journal of Forest and Environmental Science
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• 제38권2호
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• pp.75-89
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• 2022

The negative impact of monoculture rubber plantations on biodiversity and associated ecological processes/ecosystem services has led to suggestions on the use of integrated land use systems for rubber cultivation and production in order to ensure environmental sustainability. However, there is paucity of information on the effect of such integrated land use systems on the diversity and abundance of the rubber plantation undergrowth. We evaluated and compared undergrowth plant species composition, richness, abundance, diversity and interaction, in three integrated systems (Rubber-Strelitzia reginae Integrated System - RSrIS, Rubber-Podocarpus nagi Integrated System - RPnIS & Naturally Managed Rubber Plantation - NMRP) with three Rubber Monoculture Plantations (RMP₁, RMP₂ & RMP₃) adjacent to the integrated systems, respectively, at the Investigation and Experiment Station of Tropical Crops, Danzhou, Hainan, China. Undergrowth species density was higher in the rubber monocultures than in the integrated systems except in RSrIS. Species richness and diversity were also higher in the monocultures except in NMRP. Species similarity/interaction between the monocultures and the integrated systems was highest between RMP₃ and NMRP. The NRMP proved to be the best model of natural rubber integrated system for the conservation of undergrowth species richness, diversity and interspecific interaction. However, the conservation of undergrowth species in other forms of integrated natural systems can be enhanced by considering the ecology of species to be integrated in terms of their growth characteristics, competitive nature, and ability to grow in association with other species.

• 대한화학회지
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• 제67권2호
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• pp.120-128
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• 2023

Osteoporosis is a disease that causes the weakening of bone by increasing porosity, which often results in fractures. Osteoporosis treatment measures include the use of Bisphosphonates and estrogen. However, these treatments cannot be used in the long term as these treatments have adverse side effects. Therefore, there is a need to identify better and safer treatment options. For this, 63 plant extracts were screened and among them, six extracts showed high anti-osteoclastic activity with low cytotoxicity. Of these six extracts, three extracts, Cudrania tricuspidata (P371), Ulmus davidiana var. japonica (P401), and Torilis japonica (P411), showed more than 50 percent osteoclast inhibition. While the remaining, Stewartia pseudocamellia extracts I and II (P370, P397) and Cuscuta chinensis (P418), showed moderate or between 40-50 percent osteoclast inhibition. Among all the extracts, Torilis japonica (P411) showed the highest inhibitory action against osteoclast development. Torilis japonica (P411) primary components include Kaempferol, Quercetin, and Luteolin, all proven to inhibit osteoclastogenesis. Stewartia pseudocamellia extracts I and II (P370 and P397) showed moderate or 44% osteoclast inhibition. Stewartia pseudocamellia extract II (P397) enhanced the growth of RAW 264.7 cells by 19%. Torilis japonica (P411) and Stewartia pseudocamellia extract II (P397) suppressed the expression of osteoclast-specific genes in RANKL-induced osteoclastogenesis in RAW 246.7 cells. Torilis japonica (P411) extracts even increased osteoblast-specific RUNX2 gene expression. This results provide that six extracts could be used as a potential treatment option for osteoporosis disease with the extracts of Torilis japonica (P411) and Stewartia pseudocamellia (P397) as an ideal candidates. However, the combination of the extract with higher osteoclastic inhibition and less toxic effects with further analysis should be recommended.

• 한국초지조사료학회지
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• 제42권1호
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• pp.47-53
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• 2022

The objective of this study was to verify the effect of pig slurry application with acidification and biochar on feed value, nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) of maize forage, and ammonia (NH₃) emission. The four treatments were applied: 1) non-pig slurry (only water as a control, C), 2) only pig slurry application (P), 3) acidified pig slurry application (AP), 4) acidified pig slurry application with biochar (APB). The pig slurry and biochar were applied at a rate of 150 kg N ha^-1 and 300 kg ha^-1, respectively. The AP and APB treatments enhanced all feed values compared to C and P treatments. The NUE for plant N was significantly increased 92.1% by AP and APB treatment, respectively, compared to the P treatment. On the other hand, feed values were not significantly different between AP and APB treatments. The acidification treatment with/without biochar significantly mitigated NH₃ emission compared to the P treatment. The cumulative NH₃ emission throughout the period of measurement decreased by 71.4% and 74.8% in the AP and APB treatments. Also, APB treatment reduced ammonia emission by 11.9% compared to AP treatment. The present study clearly showed that acidification and biochar can reduce ammonia emission from pig slurry application, and pig slurry application with acidification and biochar exhibited potential effects in feed value, NUE, and reducing N losses from pig slurry application through reduction of NH₃ emission.

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제41권5호
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• pp.413-422
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• 2018

Soybean transgenic plants with ectopically expressed AtABF3 were produced by Agrobacterium-mediated transformation and investigated the effects of AtABF3 expression on drought and salt tolerance. Stable Agrobacterium-mediated soybean transformation was carried based on the half-seed method (Paz et al. 2006). The integration of the transgene was confirmed from the genomic DNA of transformed soybean plants using PCR and the copy number of transgene was determined by Southern blotting using leaf samples from $T_2$ seedlings. In addition to genomic integration, the expression of the transgenes was analyzed by RT-PCR and most of the transgenic lines expressed the transgenes introduced. The chosen two transgenic lines (line #2 and #9) for further experiment showed the substantial drought stress tolerance by surviving even at the end of the 20-day of drought treatment. And the positive relationship between the levels of AtABF3 gene expression and drought-tolerance was confirmed by qRT-PCR and drought tolerance test. The stronger drought tolerance of transgenic lines seemed to be resulted from physiological changes. Transgenic lines #2 and #9 showed ion leakage at a significantly lower level (P < 0.01) than ${\underline{n}}on-{\underline{t}}ransgenic$ (NT) control. In addition, the chlorophyll contents of the leaves of transgenic lines were significantly higher (P < 0.01). The results indicated that their enhanced drought tolerance was due to the prevention of cell membrane damage and maintenance of chlorophyll content. Water loss by transpiration also slowly proceeded in transgenic plants. In microscopic observation, higher stomata closure was confirmed in transgenic lines. Especially, line #9 had 56% of completely closed stomata whereas only 16% were completely open. In subsequent salt tolerance test, the apparently enhanced salt tolerance of transgenic lines was measured in ion leakage rate and chlorophyll contents. Finally, the agronomic characteristics of ectopically expressed AtABF3 transgenic plants ($T_2$) compared to NT plants under regular watering (every 4 days) or low rate of watering condition (every 10 days) was investigated. When watered regularly, the plant height of drought-tolerant line (#9) was shorter than NT plants. However, under the drought condition, total seed weight of line #9 was significantly higher than in NT plants (P < 0.01). Moreover, the pods of NT plants showed severe withering, and most of the pods failed to set normal seeds. All the evidences in the study clearly suggested that overexpression of the AtABF3 gene conferred drought and salt tolerance in major crop soybean, especially under the growth condition of low watering.

• 대한환경공학회지
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• 제30권11호
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• pp.1154-1160
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• 2008

아연 폐광지 부근의 논토양에서 메밀(Fagopyrum esculentum)을 이용한 식물상추출공법 적용 전후에 대해 토양 내 아연 형태 및 탈수소효소활성도 변화를 조사하였다. 메밀을 식재한 논토양은 아연농도는 약 600 mg/kg인 고오염 구역과 약 300 mg/kg인 저오염 구역으로 구분되었다. 메밀을 재배한 결과, 메밀은 고농도 구역에서 아연에 의한 성장 저해를 입었으나 토양으로부터 식물유효성 형태의 아연을 흡수하여 식물체내에 축적하였고, 아연 독성으로 저해된 토양 내 탈수소효소활성도를 증가시킨 것으로 나타났다. 2개월 동안 메밀을 재배한 후 근권 토양 내 식물유효성 아연 농도는 고오염 구역에서 약 25% 감소, 저오염 구역에서 약 70% 감소하였다. 근권 토양에서 감소한 식물유효성 아연의 양은 식물체내에 축적된 아연의 양과 유사하여(Recovery 92$\sim$107%), 메밀이 토양 내 식물유효성 아연을 제거 및 축적하였음을 알 수 있었다. 또한 토양 내 총 아연 농도와 토양 탈수소효소활성도는 음의 상관관계를 가진 것으로 나타났으며, 초기에 고오염 토양에서는 저오염 토양에 비하여 토양 탈수소효소활성도가 약 2배 저해되었지만 메밀 재배 후 각각의 근권에서 약 35% 증가한 것을 확인하였다.

• 한국환경농학회지
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• 제22권4호
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• pp.294-299
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• 2003

제주도에서 자생하는 갯쑥부쟁이(Heteropappus hispidus (Thunb.))에 감마선을 10, 20, 40, 80, 120, 160, 200, 300, 400 Gy 수준으로 나누어서 조사한 뒤 발아율 및 발아 30일 후의 본엽 출현율, $LD_{50}$, 본엽길이, 줄기부분의 안토시아닌 색소 형성 유무, 생육 60일 후의 로젯형 엽, multi-shoot 형성율, 초장, 개화 결실률 등의 주요 양적형질들을 생존개체를 대상으로 실시하였다. 120Gy 까지의 발아율은 88.5%로 대조구와 큰 차이를 보이지 않았으나 160Gy 이상에서부터는 급격히 감소하여 치사선량($LD_{50}$)은 160 Gy 범위 정도였다. 또한, 본엽 출현율과 그 길이는 조사선량이 높아질수록 억제되었다. 안토시아닌 색소 형성은 조사선량이 높을수록 대조구 2%에서 30%로 높아졌으며 로젯형도 고선량 처리구에서 발생하였다. Multi-shooting은 80Gy 이상일 때부터 나타났으며 multi-shooting을 형성하는 개체들은 초장은 짧고 줄기는 가늘게 다발형으로 자라는 특성이 있어서 만일 형질이 고정된다면 화분 관상용 개체로 선발하기에 적합하였다. 특히, 조사선량이 증가됨에 따라서 안토시아닌 색소 형성, 로젯형 개체, multi-shoot등의 개체가 많이 출현되었는데 이는 돌연변이 유기의 선발지표가 될 수 있을 것으로 보인다.

• 식물병연구
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• 제18권1호
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• pp.10-16
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• 2012

본 연구는 국내 육성 밀 3품종을 이용하여 파종량과 밀잎집눈무늬병의 발생정도를 조사하고, 이 식물병을 효과적으로 방제하기 위한 약제를 선발하기 하기 위하여 수행되었다. 파종량이 기준량의 2배로 증가할 때 발병률이 약 13% 증가하였다. 그러나 감수성인 조품밀만이 2배량 파종시에 발병률이 높아지는 유의적인 차이를 보였다. 잎집눈무늬병의 방제 약제 선발을 위해 배지상에서 약제별 효과를 검정한 결과, Triazole 계통인 Hexaconazole EC과 Tebuconazole EC는 균사생장을 효과적으로 억제하였다. 하지만 strobilurin 계통의 Pyraclostrobin EC과 Trifloxystrobin SC는 균사 억제 효과가 약하였다. 식물체에 직접 처리하여 약효를 검정한 결과, in vivo 활성과 in vitro 활성은 유사하게 나타났고 예방효과가 치료효과보다 높은 것으로 나타났다. 즉, Hexaconazole EC와 Tebuconazole EC의 예방효과는 각각 64%와 73%였고, 치료효과는 각각 45%와 39%였다. 본 연구결과는 Hexaconazole EC와 Tebuconazole EC가 밀에 발생하는 입짚눈무늬병의 방제제로 이용될 수 있다는 것을 나타낸다.