• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
• /
• v.45 no.1
• /
• pp.28-37
• /
• 2018

This study was done to develop environmental risk assessments and a biosafety guide for insect-resistant genetically modified rice at a LMO (Living Modified Organism) isolation field. In the LMO quarantine area of Kyungpook National University, the species diversities and population densities of non-target insects found on insect-resistant genetically modified rice (Bt-9) resistant to Cnaphalocrocis medinalis and on non-GM rices (Dongjin and Ilmi) were investigated. The Bt-9 event was therefore evaluated under field conditions to detect possible impacts on the above ground insects and spiders. The study compared transgenic rice and two non-GM reference rices, Ilmi and Dongjin, at Gunwi in Southern Korea in 2016. Each rice was grown on three $18m^2$ plots with a randomized block design. A total of 4,243 individuals from 43 families and 9 orders were collected from the LMO isolation field. In the three types of rice fields, a total of 1,467 individuals from the insect-resistant genetically modified rice (Bt-9), 1,423 individuals from the Ilmi, and 1,353 individuals from the Dongjin were collected, respectively. There was no difference between the population densities of the non-target insect pests, natural enemies and other insects on the insect-resistant genetically modified rice (Bt-9) and non-GM rices. These results provide the diversity and population density of non-target insects for an environment risk assessment survey on insect-resistant genetically modified rice and could be used as a guideline to make a biosafety assessment method for genetically modified crops.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
• /
• v.5 no.4
• /
• pp.215-219
• /
• 2003

Optimal shoot regeneration and transformation conditions of root type chicory (Cichorium intybus L. var. sativus cv Cesare) were studied. Leaf explants were co-cultured with Agrobacterium tumefaciens, which contained NPTII as a selectable marker and a rice homeotic gene, OsMADS1, that encodes a MADS-domain-containing transcription factor. After one day of co-cultivation, explants were transferred to selection media consisting of MS basal medium supplemented with 0.5 mg/L BAP, 0.1 mg/L IAA, 70 mg/L kanamycin, and 250 mg/L cefotaxime. PCR and Southern blot analyses revealed stable integration of the OsMADS1 gene in the chicory genome. Four-teen original transgenic plants ($T_o$ plants) were acclimatized in the greenhouse and examined for their morphological characters. Most of the transgenic plants showed altered morphologies, such as short, bushy, and early-flowering phenotypes with reduced apical dominance. Additionally, half of the transgenic plants exhibited altered leaf shapes, and 4 out of 14 plants were sterile. These phenotypes were inherited by the next generation. Northern blot analysis confirmed expression of the OsMADS1 gene in both floral and vegetative organs.

• Molecules and Cells
• /
• v.28 no.2
• /
• pp.131-137
• /
• 2009

Plant defensins are small (5-10 kDa) basic peptides thought to be an important component of the defense pathway against fungal and/or bacterial pathogens. To understand the role of plant defensins in protecting plants against the brown planthopper, a type of insect herbivore, we isolated the Brassica rapa Defensin 1 (BrD1) gene and introduced it into rice (Oryza sativa L.) to produce stable transgenic plants. The BrD1 protein is homologous to other plant defensins and contains both an N-terminal endoplasmic reticulum signal sequence and a defensin domain, which are highly conserved in all plant defensins. Based on a phylogenetic analysis of the defensin domain of various plant defensins, we established that BrD1 belongs to a distinct subgroup of plant defensins. Relative to the wild type, transgenic rices expressing BrD1 exhibit strong resistance to brown planthopper nymphs and female adults. These results suggest that BrD1 exhibits insecticidal activity, and might be useful for developing cereal crop plants resistant to sap-sucking insects, such as the brown planthopper.

• Development and Reproduction
• /
• v.23 no.3
• /
• pp.223-229
• /
• 2019

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is characterized by insulin resistance (IR). T2DM is correlated with obesity and most T2DM medications have been developed for enhancing insulin sensitivity. Silk protein fibroin (SPF) from spiders has been suggested as an attractive biomaterial for medical purposes. We generated transgenic rice (TR) expressing SPF and fed it to diabetic $BKS.Cg-m+/+Lepr^{db}$ mice to monitor the changes in blood glucose levels and adipose tissue proteins associated with energy metabolism and insulin signaling. In the present study, the adipocyte size in abdominal fat in TR-SPF-fed mice was remarkably smaller than that of the control. Whereas the adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK)-activated protein kinase and insulin receptor substrate 1 (IRS1) protein levels were increased in abdominal adipose tissues after TR-SPF feeding, levels of six-transmembrane protein of prostate 2 (STAMP2) proteins decreased. Phosphorylation of AMPK at threonine 172 and IRS1 at serine 307 and tyrosine 632 were both increased in adipose tissues from TR-SPF-fed mice. Increased expression and phosphorylation of IRS1 at both serine 307 and tyrosine 632 in adipose tissues indicated that adipocytes obtained from abdominal fat in TR-SPF-fed mice were more susceptible to insulin signaling than that of the control. STAMP2 protein levels decreased in adipose tissues from TR-SPF-fed mice, indicating that STAMP2 proteins were reducing adipocytes that were undergoing lipolysis. Taken together, this study showed that TR-SPF was effective in reducing blood glucose levels in diabetic mice and that concurrent lipolysis in abdominal adipocytes was associated with alterations of AMPK, IRS1, and STAMP2. Increased IRS1 expression and its phosphorylation by TR-SFP were considered to be particularly important in the induction of lipolysis in adipocytes, as well as in reducing blood glucose levels in this animal model.

• Molecules and Cells
• /
• v.26 no.5
• /
• pp.474-480
• /
• 2008

OsMADS1 is a rice MADS box gene necessary for floral development. To identify the key cis-regulatory regions for its expression, we utilized transgenic rice plants expressing GUS fusion constructs. Histochemical analysis revealed that the 5.7-kb OsMADS1 intragenic sequences, encompassing exon 1, intron 1, and a part of exon 2, together with the 1.9-kb 5' upstream promoter region, are required for the GUS expression pattern that coincides with flower-preferential expression of OsMADS1. In contrast, the 5' upstream promoter sequence lacking this intragenic region caused ectopic expression of the reporter gene in both vegetative and reproductive tissues. Notably, incorporation of the intragenic region into the CaMV35S promoter directed the GUS expression pattern similar to that of the endogenous spatial expression of OsMADS1 in flowers. In addition, our transient gene expression assay revealed that the large first intron following the CaMV35S minimal promoter enhances flower-preferential expression of GUS. These results suggest that the OsMADS1 intragenic sequence, largely intron 1, contains a key regulatory region(s) essential for expression.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Crop Science Conference
• /
• 2017.06a
• /
• pp.115-115
• /
• 2017

Zinc finger proteins constitute a large family which has been studied to have various functions in different organisms. Tandem CCCH zinc finger proteins (TZFs), members of the zinc finger protein family, are known to participate as post-transcriptional regulators of gene expression in eukaryotes. Here, we showed that the OsZn15, a gene for tandem CCCH zinc finger protein, is induced by abiotic stress and its overexpression in transgenic rice plants (PGD1:OsZn15) gains higher drought tolerance. Gene expression analysis of promoter:GFP plants revealed that OsZn15 is specifically expressed in anther and embryo, but not in vegetative organs. In-field evaluation, grain yield was higher in the PGD1:OsZn15 than nontransgenic plants under drought conditions. Interestingly, OsZn15 is shown to not only localize at nucleus but also co-localize with both processing bodies (PB) and stress granules (SG), two messenger ribo-nucleoprotein complexes which are known to activate by forming cytoplasmic foci under stress conditions. In sum, these results suggest that OsZn15 increases drought stress tolerance of rice probably by participating in RNA turnover in PB and SG.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
• /
• v.38 no.1
• /
• pp.77-86
• /
• 2011

Alcohol dehydrogenase (E.C.1.1.1.1) is an enzyme present in higher plants involved in the anaerobic fermentation pathway that catalyzes the reduction of pyruvate to ethanol, resulting in continuous $NAD^+$ regeneration. It also plays an important role in many plant developments including tolerance to anoxia condition. Here, a cDNA clone encoding alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) was isolated from Chinese cabbage (Brassica rapa) seedlings. The gene named Bradh1 had a total length of 1,326 bp that contains a single open reading frame of 1,140 bp. The predicted protein consists of 379 amino acid residues with a calculated molecular mass of 41.17 kDa. Expression pattern analysis revealed a tissue-specific expressing gene in different tissues and strongly expressed in the shoot, roots and seeds of Chinese cabbage. Agrobacterium transformation of full-length cDNA Bradh1 into rice Gopumbyeo showed high efficiency. Furthermore, induction of ADH in transgenic rice enhanced tolerance to anaerobiosis stresses and elevated mRNA transcripts. The overexpression of Bradh1 in rice increases germination under anaerobiosis stresses, implying the possibility of developing new varieties suited for direct seeding or flood-prone rice field.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Crop Science Conference
• /
• 2017.06a
• /
• pp.160-160
• /
• 2017

Drought stress is a major constraint of crop development and productivity. Plants have evolutionally developed several mechanisms at the molecular, cellular, and physiological levels to overcome drought stress. The basic Leucine zipper (bZIP) transcription factor (TF) family members are starting to be concerned about their roles in drought stress responses. In this study, we functionally characterized OsbZIP66, a rice group-E bZIP TF, to be associated with rice drought tolerance mechanisms. Expression of OsbZIP66 was significantly induced upon treatments of rice plants with drought, high salinity, and ABA. These observations and the fact that the OsbZIP66 promoter contains ten ABA-responsive elements suggest that OsbZIP66 is up-regulated by drought stress in an ABA-dependent manner. Overexpression of both OsbZIP66 in a whole plant body and specifically in roots enhanced drought tolerance of rice plants, indicating that the rice drought tolerance positively correlates with the expression levels of OsbZIP66. Thus, our results demonstrated that OsbZIP66 has a potential for use in biotechnological development of high-yielding rice plants under drought conditions.

• 한국생물공학회:학술대회논문집
• /
• 2003.10a
• /
• pp.161-161
• /
• 2003

• 한국생물공학회:학술대회논문집
• /
• 2005.04a
• /
• pp.238-238
• /
• 2005