• Journal of Life Science
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• v.16 no.3 s.76
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• pp.447-453
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• 2006

Histidine kinase plays important roles in signal transduction in plant. We characterized the function of Arabidopsis histidine kinase 3 (AHK3) and analyzed the expression patterns of genes and proteins in its mutant ahk3 by trans-zeatin (t-zeatin). The ahk3 exhibited decreased sensitivity to t-zeatin during callus formation, seedling growth, and leaf senescence. From proteomic analysis of ahk3, eukaryotic translation initiation factor 5A-2, auxin binding glutathione S-transferase, and NDPK1 were identified not to be induced by t-zeatin, when compared to the wild-type. In addition, the expression levels of ARR4 and ARR16 among A-type response regulators (ARRs) markedly decreased in ahk3 by t-zeatin treatment. These results suggest that AHK3 plays an important role in cytokinin signaling and the proteins identified from proteomic analysis and specific ARRs, ARR4 and ARR16 may be directly or indirectly associated in AHK3-mediated cytokinin signaling.

• The Korean Journal of Ecology
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.199-210
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• 2004

Effects of nitrogen and phosphorus fertilization on seasonal changes of nutrient content in tree components, and retranslocation N and P in foliage and twig were determined in adjacent 41-year-old plantations of Pinus rigida Miller and Larix kaempferi Gordon on a similar soil in Yangpyeong, Gyeonggi Province. In general, foliage N and P concentrations of L kaempferi were significantly higher than current and 1-year-old foliages of P. rigida. N and P concentrations were higher in foliage than in twigs for both tree species. However, there were no significant differences in foliage and twig N and P concentrations with ages. Significant seasonal differences in foliage and twig N and P concentrations were observed for both tree species because of nutrient retranslocation. Foliage nutrient concentrations were highest in the mid-growing season and lowest in autumn, whereas twig nutrient concnetrations have gradually increased since July. These seasonal trends indicated nutrient retranslocation from foliage into twigs before foliage senescence. However, there were no significant changes in foliage and twig nutrient retranslocation, and no consistent patterns in foliage and twig nutrient retranslocation following N and P fertilizer additions. No significant changes in nutrient retranslocation between different foliage and twig ages were observed following fertilization.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.109-116
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• 2002

This study was performed to investigate the effect of kimchi intake on antiaging characteristics in liver of senescence-accelerated mouse (SAM) in terms of free radical production and anti-oxidative enzyme activities. Two hundred twenty SAM were divided into four groups and fed kimchi diet for 12 months. Experimental groups were kimchi free AIN-76 diet (control) group, Korean cabbage kimchi diet (KCK) group, mustard leaf added (30%) Korean cabbage kimchi diet (MKCK) group, and mustard leaf kimchi diet (MLK) group. Amount of freez-dried kimchi added to the diet was 5% that is equivalent to 50 g of fresh kimchi. Concentrations of total free radical, OH radical, $H_2O$$_2$in the liver significantly increased as aged (p<0.05). But those free radical concentrations from kimchi diet groups were lower than those of control (p<0.05). Among kimchi groups, MKCK and MLK groues showed greater inhibiting effect than KCK. Antioxidant enzyme activities of Cu, Zn-SOD, Mn-SOD, GSH-px, catalase and GSH/GSSG in kimchi groups were significantly increased (P

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.117-123
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• 2002

This study was Performed to investigate the effect of kimchi intake on antiaging characteristics in the brain of senescence-accelerated mouse (SAM) in terms of free radical production and anti-oxidative enzymes. Two hundreds twenty SAM (20 mice) were divided into four groups and fed kimchi diet for 12 months. Experimental groups were kimchi free AIN-76 diet (control) group, Korean cabbage kimchi diet (KCK)group, 30% mustard leaf added Korean cabbage kimchi diet (MKCK) group, and mustard leaf kimchi diet (MLK) group. Concentrations of total free radical, OH radical and $H_2O_2$ of control group increased up to 123%, 262% and 174% of initial value (p<0.05) after one year. Increase in free radical production in kimchi groups due to aging was decreased by kimchi feeding. Among kimchi groups. MKCK and MLK groups showed greater inhibiting effect against free radical production than KCK. The concentration of TBARS in the bruin of control group also significantly increased up to 362% of initial value as aged (p<0.05) and production of TBARS in kimchi groups were decreased. When the activities of Cu, Zn-SOD, Mn-SOD, GSH-px and catalase of kimchi groups were compared to those of control at the same experimental period, anti-oxidative enzyme activities of kimchi groups were lower than those of control (p<0.05). But GSH/GSSG in kimchi groups were higher compared to control. In conclusion, decrease in free radical production and increase in anti-oxidative enzyme activities were observed from kimchi groups suggesting that kimchi might have important role on retarding aging. Among kimchi variety tested in this experiment, MKCK and MLK seem to have greater effect on inhibiting free radical production and increasing anti-oxidative enzyme activities than KCK.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.9-24
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• 1993

The time-dependent radioecological model applicable to Korean environment has been developed in order to assess the radiological consequences following the short-term deposition of radionuclides in an accident of nuclear power plant. Time-dependent radioactivity concentrations in foodstuffs can be estimated by the model called 'KORFOOD' as well as time-dependent and time-integrated ingestion doses. Three kinds of critical radionuclides and thirteen kinds of foodstuffs were considered in this model. Dynamic variation of radioactivities were simulated by considering several effects such as deposition, weathering and washout, resuspension, root uptake, translocation, leaching, senescence, intake and excretion of soil by animals, intake and excretion of feedstuffs by animals, etc. The input data to the KORFOOD are the time of the year when the deposition occurs, the kinds of radionuclides and foodstuffs for estimation. The time-dependent specific activities in rice and the ingestion doses due to the consumption of all considered foodstuffs were calculated with deposition time using agricultural data-base in Kori region. In order to validate results of KORFOOD, the calculated results were compared with those by a leading German model, ECOSYS-87. The comparison of results shows good agreements within a factor of ten.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.211-217
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• 2001

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of Zn and Cu on physiological responses of tobacco at the different leaf ages for the purpose of phytoremediation of heavy metal contaminated field. Plant height was significantly decreased at Zn and Cu concentrations of 1.0 mM or higher. Especially, root dry weight decreased more (50% reduced) than shoot dry weight. Zn and Cu accumulation in the shoot and root was dramatically increased after 2.0 mM treatment. The accumulation pattern was different by leaf aging in that Zn accumulated more in senescence leaf and Cu accumulated more in growing leaf. The amounts of heavy metal accumulations per plant were 146,000 mg/kg for Zn and 20,500 mg/kg for Cu at 2.0 mM treatment. The proper harvesting time would be suggested as vegetative growth stage for Zn and reproductive stage for Cu. The concentrations of other inorganic ions (Mg, Mn, Fe) were decreased when Zn and Cu concentrations were increased. Cu concentration and Zn concentration of both shoot and root were decreased in Zn treatment and Cu treatment, respectively.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.13-20
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• 2007

In all female mammals, reproductive system is one of the first biological systems to show age-related decline. Female mammals in reproductive aging, though the phenomena is somewhat species-specific, start to show declining fertility and changes of numerous physiological functions. This review will present a current information on the aging of the female reproductive hormonal axis and introduce three useful rodent models for studying this field. Middle age($8{\sim}12$ months old) in female rats and mice is comparable to the stage prior to the entry of menopause in human. In this period pulsatile and surge GnRH secretion from hypothalamus gradually attenuated, then reduced pulsatile and surge LH secretion is followed consequently. This age-related defects in GnRH-LH neuroendocrine axis seem to be highly correlated with the defects in brain signals which modulate the activities of GnRH neuron. Many researchers support the idea which the age-related hypothalamic defects are the main cause of reproductive aging, but some ovarian factors such as inhibin response also could contribute to the induction of reproductive senescence. Some rodent models are quite valuable in studying the reproductive aging. The follitropin receptor knockout(FORKO) mice, both of null and haploinsufficient state, could produce depletion of oocyte/follicle with age. Dioxin/aryl hydrocarbon receptor(AhR) knockout mice also show severe ovarian defects and poor reproductive success early in their life compared to the age-matched normal mice. Further studies on the reproductive aging will be a great help to evaluate the benefits and risks of hormone replacement therapy(HRT) and to improve the safety of HRT.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.209-217
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• 2014

In a variety of eukaryotic cells, autophagy sequesters a portion of the cytoplasm and targets it to a lytic compartment for degradation in bulk. Autophagy is a dynamic process for degrading cytoplasmic cargoes with various degrees of selectivity, and its activity is tightly regulated in a nutrient- and development-dependent manner. Autophagy research has drawn much attention since autophagy not only is an interesting cell biological phenomenon but also has great potential for medical and agricultural applications. For example, autophagy is associated with cancers and neurodegenerative diseases in human and mammalian cells and is also suggested in remobilization of nutrients during the senescence of plant leaves. In this general review, we describe genetic components of the core autophagic machinery conserved among yeast, animals, and plants and briefly explain how these components are responsible for major steps in plant autophagy. We discuss four common features of autophagic processes: (i) autophagy as a degradation pathway, (ii) the concept of flux in autophagy research, (iii) dependency on developmental and nutritional cues, and (iv) diversity of autophagy, focusing on selective types of autophagy. We also summarize cell biological and physiological functions of plant autophagy. Our intention is to provide a quick guide to autophagy for those who are new to autophagy research.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.24 no.10
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• pp.1055-1062
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• 2014

We investigated the expression of cucumber genes involved in lipid mobilization and metabolism during cotyledon development to compare gene activity and to study the direction of carbon (acetyl unit) transport between glyoxysomes and mitochondria. The core metabolic pathway involving 10 genes was examined in four intracellular compartments: glyoxysomes (peroxisomes), mitochondria, chloroplasts, and cytosol. Additionally, we tested the early germination response of dark-grown seedlings and the immediate light response for a further 3 days. According to the reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), 3-L-ketoacyl-CoA thiolase 2 (Thio2), isocitrate lyase (ICL), and malate synthase (MS), the genes involved in storage lipid mobilization showed a similar and consistent pattern of gene expression in seedling development. Furthermore, coordinate expression of the A BOUT DE SOUFFLE (BOU) gene with ICL and MS during seedling emergence pointed to a possible secondary route of acetyl unit (acetyl-CoA) transport between peroxisomes and mitochondria in cucumber. The expression of the BOU gene was light dependent, as shown by BOU activity in Arabidopsis, suggesting that the dark condition also results in weak membrane biogenesis. In addition, several genes were active throughout the development of the green cotyledon, even during senescence. In conclusion, this study summarizes oil-seed germination and gene expression during cucumber cotyledon development and proposes an additional route for acetyl unit transport.

• The Plant Pathology Journal
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.86-90
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• 2009

In November 2008, typical powdery mildew symptoms were observed on leaves of Arabidopsis thaliana ecotype Col-0 plants in a growth room under controlled laboratory conditions at Korea University, Seoul. The disease was characterized by the appearance of white powder-like fungal growth on the surface of infected leaves. As the disease progressed, infected leaves exhibited chlorotic or necrotic brown lesions, and leaf distortion and senescence. Conidiophores of the causal fungus were hyaline, unbranched, 3-4 celled, cylindrical, and $80-115{\times}6-9{\mu}m$ in size. Singly produced conidia (pseudoidium type) were hyaline, oblong to cylindrical or oval in shape, and $26-55{\times}15-20{\mu}m$ in size with a length/width ratio of average 3, angular/rectangular wrinkling of outer wall and no distinct fibrosin bodies. Appressoria on the hyphae were multi-lobed. These structures are typical of the powdery mildew Oidium subgenus Pseudoidium, anamorph of the genus Erysiphe. The measurements of the fungal structures coincided with those of Erysiphe cruciferarum. The phylogenetic analysis using ITS rDNA sequences revealed that the causal fungus Erysiphe sp. KUS-F23994 is identical to E. cruciferarum. The isolated fungus incited powdery mildew symptoms on the inoculated Arabidopsis leaves, which proved Koch's postulates. Taken all data together, we first report the occurrence of powdery mildew disease of A. thaliana caused by Erysiphe cruciferarum in Korea.