• The Plant Pathology Journal
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.151-155
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• 2000

A cDNA (Oslls1) encoding Lls1-homologue of maize was isolated from cDNA library of rice (Oryza sativa cv. Ilpum). The 2,138 bp of full length Oslls1 clone contains an open reading frame of 1,623 nucleotides encoding 575 amino acid residues. The deduced amino acid sequence of Oslls1 has a high level of homology with chlorophyll a oxygenases of Arabidopsis thaliana (67%) and Marchantia polymorpha (65%). Southern blot analysis of genomic DNA indicates the existence of a small gene family for Oslls1 in the rice genome. The expression of Oslls1 mRNA was induced in leaves and germinating seeds. Treatment of $H_2O$$_2$significantly down-regulated Oslls1 expression. The expression of Oslls1 mRNA was consititutively down-regulated in the blm, a rice mutant exhibiting spontaneous necrotic lesions. These results suggest that this Oslls1 gene may be involved incell death mechanisms in the blm mutant of rice.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.459-463
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• 2011

The genome of the rhesus monkey has diverged as an average sequence identity of ~93%. The rhesus monkey has been widely used as a non-human primate in the field of biomedical and evolutional research. Insertion of transposable elements (TEs) induced several events such as transcriptional diversity and different expression in host genes. In this study, 112 transcripts were identified from a full-length cDNA library of brain tissues of the rhesus monkey. One transcript (R54) showed a different expression pattern between human and rhesus monkey tissues. This phenomenon can be an explanation that R54 transcript was acquired by splicing a donor site derived from exonization of the L2A element. Therefore, integration of TEs during primate radiation could contribute to transcriptional diversity and gene regulation.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.210-218
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• 2005

The rice genome contains at least 28 EXPA (${\alpha}$-expansin) genes. We have obtained near full-length cDNAs from the previously uncharacterized genes. Analysis of these newly identified clones together with the 12 identified earlier showed that the EXPA genes contain up to two introns and encode proteins of 240 to 291 amino acid residues. The EXPA proteins contain three conserved motifs: eight cysteine residues at the N-terminus, four tryptophan residues at the C-terminus, and a histidine-phenylalanine-aspartate motif in the central region. EXPA proteins could be divided into six groups based on their sequence similarity. Most were strongly induced in two-day-old seedlings and in the roots of one-week-old plants. However, only 14 genes were expressed in the aboveground organs, and their patterns were quite diverse. Transcript levels of EXPA7, 14, 15, 18, 21, and 29 were greater in stems, while EXPA2, 4, 5, 6, and 16 were highly expressed in both stem and sheath but not in leaf blade. EXPA1 is leaf blade-preferential, and EXP9 is leaf sheath-preferential. Most of the root-expressed genes were more strongly expressed in the dividing zone. However, the Group 2 EXPA genes were also strongly expressed in both mature and dividing zones, while EXPA9 was preferentially expressed in the elongation zone. Fourteen EXPA genes were expressed in developing panicles, with some being expressed during most developmental stages, others only as the panicles matured. These diverse expression patterns of EXPA genes suggest that in general they have distinct roles in plant growth and development.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.449-460
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• 2012

Plants have versatile detoxification systems to encounter the phytotoxicity of the wide range of natural and synthetic compounds present in the environment. Glutathione S-transferase (GST) is an enzyme that detoxifies natural and exogenous toxic compounds by conjugation with glutathione (GSH). Recently, several roles of GST giving stress tolerance in plants have demonstrated, but little is known about the role of ginseng GSTs. Therefore, this work aimed to provide further information on the GST gene present in Panax ginseng genome as well as its expression and function. A GST cDNA (PgGST) was isolated from P. ginseng cDNA library, and it showed the amino acid sequence similarity with theta type of GSTs. PgGST in ginseng plant was induced by exposure to metals, plant hormone, heavy metals, and high light irradiance. To improve the resistance against environmental stresses, full-length cDNA of PgGST was introduced into Nicotiana tabacum. Overexpression of PgGST led to twofold increase in GST-specific activity compared to the non-transgenic plants, and the GST overexpressed plant showed resistance against herbicide phosphinothricin. The results suggested that the PgGST isolated from ginseng might have a role in the protection mechanism against toxic materials such as heavy metals and herbicides.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.280-286
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• 2007

L-asparaginase (EC 3.5.1.1) catalyzes the hydrolysis of the amide group of L-asparagine, releasing aspartate and $NH_4{^+}$. We isolated a low temperature-inducible cDNA sequence encoding L-asparaginase from soybean leaves. The full-length L-asparaginase cDNA, designated GmASP1, contains an open reading frame of 1,258 bp coding for a protein of 326 amino acids. Genomic DNA blotting and fluorescence in situ hybridization showed that the soybean genome has two copies of GmASP1. GmASP1 mRNA was induced by low temperature, ABA and NaCl, but not by heat shock or drought stress. E. coli cells expressing recombinant GmASP1 had 3-fold increased L-asparaginase activity. A possible function of L-asparaginase in the early response to low temperature stress is discussed.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.199-204
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• 2009

Purpose : Various proteins encoded in the early region 3 (E3) of adenoviruses protect cells from being killed by cytotoxic T cells and death-inducing cytokines. We sought to find out whether the genetic heterogeneity of the E3 gene might contribute to the molecular diversity of adenoviruses. Methods : Sequences in the E3 region were analyzed for 14 adenovirus type 3 (Ad3) strains that were isolated from children with lower respiratory tract infections in the Seoul National University Children's Hospital during the period 1991-2000. Full-length adenoviral DNA was purified from the infected A549 cell lysates using a modified Hirt procedure. Results : There was 98% homology between 14 Korean Ad3 strains with a reference strain (M15952). Homology within the Korean Ad3 strains was 98.7%. Variation was found in the region of transcripts 20.1 kDa, 20.6 kDa, truncated 7.7 kDa, 10.3 kDa, 14.9 kDa, and 15.3 kDa. In particular, all 14 Korean strains showed a missense single point mutation at the start codon of the truncated 7.7 kDa. In addition, a deletion was found in the truncated 7.7 kDa region by 58 base pairs in 10 strains and 94 base pairs in 4 strains. Variations in amino acids were observed in the receptor internalization and degradation complex (10.3 kDa/14.9 kDa) which stimulates the clearance from the cell surface and subsequent degradation of the receptors for the Fas ligand and TRAIL, while no variations were observed in another immunoregulatory transcript, 19 kDa. Conclusion : Sequence analysis of the immunoregulatory region of adenovirus E3 shows that genetic heterogeneities are related to genome type patterns.

• The Korean Journal of Malacology
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.73-80
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• 2008

Numerous morphological studies on N. samarangae have been well conducted over the last ten years. In this context, we have attemtped to do molecular phylogenetic analysis by using metallothionein (MT) gene from N. samarangae. To this end, we cloned the full length cDNA of MT from cDNA library of N. samarangae. The complete cDNA sequences were obtained from the expressed sequence tag (EST) sequencing project of N. samarangae, The coding region of 195 bp gives an amino acid sequence of 65 residues including methionine. There are 5' (61 bp) and 3' (48 bp) untranslated region at both ends of the Ns-MT cDNA sequence. The combined results from BLAST analyses, multiple sequence alignment and molecular phylogenetic study of Ns-MT cDNA indicate that N. samarangae has similarity to land snails such as Helix pomatia, Helix aspersa and Arianta arbustorum.

• Horticultural Science & Technology
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.648-655
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• 2010

This study is the first comprehensive report on the molecular cloning, structural characterization, sequence comparison between wild and mutant types, copy number in the genome, expression features and activities of a gene encoding 5-enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate synthase (EPSPS) in Korean lawn grass ($Zoysia$ $japonica$). The full length cDNA of the EPSPS from Korean lawn grass ($zj$EPSPS) obtained from a 3' and 5' RACE method was 1540 bp, containing a 1176 bp ORF, a 144 bp leader sequence (5' UTR) and a 220 bp 3' UTR, which was eventually decoded 391 amino acid residues with a molecular mass of 41.74 kDa. The Southern blot detection of the $zj$EPSPS showed that the gene exists as a single copy in the Korean lawn grass genome. Sequence comparison of the $zj$EPSPS gene demonstrated that the glyphosate-tolerant mutant (GT) having a Pro-53 to Ser substitution in the gene seems to have a preferred binding activity of the enzyme to phosphoenol pyruvate(PEP) over glyphosate, which allows the continuous synthesis of aromatic amino acids in the shikimate pathway. From the Northern blotting analysis, the $zj$EPSPS was found to be highly expressed, with continuous increase until 36 hours after 0.5% glyphosate treatment in both wild and mutant samples, but 1.5-fold higher EPSP synthase activity was observed in the tolerant mutant when exposed to the glyphosate treatment. The molecular information of the $zj$EPSPS gene obtained from this study needs to be further dissected to be more effectively applied to the development of gene-specific DNA markers and zoysiagrass cultivars; nevertheless, the glyphosate-tolerant mutant having the featured $zj$EPSPS gene can be provided to turfgrass managers for weed problems with timely adoptable management options.

• BMB Reports
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.297-303
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• 2006

As lipolytic enzymes, GDSL lipases play an important role in plant growth and development. In order to identify their functions and roles, the full-length cDNA of a GDSL lipase gene, designated BnLIP2, was isolated from Brassica napus L. BnLIP2 was 1,300 bp long, with 1,122 bp open reading frame (ORF) encoding 373 amino acid residues. Sequence analysis indicated that BnLIP2 belonged to GDSL family. Southern blot analysis indicated that BnLIP2 belonged to a small gene family in rapeseed genome. RT-PCR analysis revealed that BnLIP2 was a tissue-specific expressing gene during reproductive growth and strongly expressed during seed germination. BnLIP2 expression could not be detected until three days after germination, and it subsequently became stronger. The transcript of this gene was deficient in root of seedlings growing at different stages. When juvenile seedlings were treated by methyl jasmonate (MeJ), salicylic acid (SA) and naphthalene acetic acid (NAA), BnLIP2 expression could not be induced in root. Our study implicates that BnLIP2 probably plays an important role in rapeseed germination, morphogenesis, flowering, but independent of root growth and development.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.22 no.12
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• pp.1636-1643
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• 2012

Enzymatic pre-bleaching by modification of pulp fibers with xylanases is an attractive approach to reduce the consumption of toxic bleaching chemicals in the paper industry. In this study, an alkaliphilic endoxylanase gene was isolated from metagenomic DNA of a structurally stable thermophilic lignocellulose-degrading microbial consortium using amplification with conserved glycosyl hydrolase family 10 primers and subsequent genome walking. The full-length xylanase showed 78% sequence identity to an endo-${\beta}$-1,4-xylanase of Clostridium phytofermentans and was expressed in a mature form with an N-terminal His6 tag fusion in Escherichia coli. The recombinant xylanase Xyn3F was thermotolerant and alkaliphilic, working optimally at $65-70^{\circ}C$ with an optimal pH at 9-10 and retaining >80% activity at pH 9, $60^{\circ}C$ for 1 h. Xyn3F showed a $V_{max}$ of 2,327 IU/mg and $K_m$ of 3.5 mg/ml on birchwood xylan. Pre-bleaching of industrial eucalyptus pulp with no prior pH adjustment (pH 9) using Xyn3F at 50 IU/g dried pulp led to 4.5-5.1% increase in final pulp brightness and 90.4-102.4% increase in whiteness after a single-step hypochlorite bleaching over the untreated pulp, which allowed at least 20% decrease in hypochlorite consumption to achieve the same final bleaching indices. The alkaliphilic xylanase is promising for application in an environmentally friendly bleaching step of kraft and soda pulps with no requirement for pH adjustment, leading to improved economic feasibility of the process.