• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.33 no.5
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• pp.1597-1602
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• 2012

In this study, we determined the 3D-structure of Arabidopsis thaliana KAPAS by homology modeling. We then investigated the binding mode of compounds obtained from in-house library using computational docking methods. From the flexible docking study, we achieved high dock scores for the active compounds denoted in this study as compound $\mathbf{3}$ and compound $\mathbf{4}$. Thus, we highlight the flexibility of specific residues, Lys 312 and Phe 172, when used in active sites.

• Korean Journal of Weed Science
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.240-249
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• 2011

The potential of juglone a plant naphthoquinone as a natural herbicide on new target, 7-keto-8-amino pelargonic acid synthetase (KAPAS) in the early step of biotin biosynthesis pathway, was performed in vitro and in vivo. Juglone effectively inhibited KAPAS activities in vitro and the $IC_{50}$ was $9.5{\mu}M$. Foliar application of juglone showed very good herbicidal activity to the eight-tested weed species. Among them, Solanum nigrum was completely controlled at a concentration of $250{\mu}g\;mL^{-1}$ with main symptoms of desiccation or burndown. Digitaria sanguinalis and Aeschynomene indica were also sensitive to juglone treatment. All eight weed species were controlled by 90~100% at a concentration of $500{\mu}g\;mL^{-1}$. However, soil application of juglone to Digitaria sanguinalis did not show any herbicidal symptoms. Cellular leakage from cucumber leaf squares treated with juglone increased depending on the concentrations increased from 6.25 to $100{\mu}M$ after 24 hours incubation with or without light. However, chlorophyll loss in cucumber leaf squares was negligible. Biotin supplements significantly rescued the inhibition of germination rate of Arabidopsis thaliana seeds previously inhibited by the juglone. Our results suggest that the juglone is a possible environmental friendly herbicide candidate with a new target KAPAS inhibiting activity.

• Korean Journal of Weed Science
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.250-259
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• 2011

This study was conducted to assess the possibility of 5,8-dihydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone (DHNQ) as a environmental friendly herbicide candidate. Foliar application of DHNQ showed excellent herbicidal effect to the 3 grasses and 5 broad-leaved weeds. Among them, Digitaria sanguinalis and Solanum nigrum were completely controlled by $250{\mu}g\;mL^{-1}$ of DHNQ with main symptoms of desiccation or burndown within 24 hours. Aeschynomene indica was also sensitive to DHNQ treatment. All of the eight weed species were controlled by 90~100% at a concentration of $1000{\mu}g\;mL^{-1}$. However, soil application of DHNQ to Digitaria sanguinalis did not show any herbicidal symptoms. DHNQ strongly inhibited KAPAS activities in vitro and the $IC_{50}$ was $4.4{\mu}M$. Cellular leakage from cucumber leaf squares treated with DHNQ increased depending on the concentrations increased from 6.25 to $100{\mu}M$ after 24 hours incubation with or without light. However, chlorophyll loss in cucumber leaf squares was negligible. Biotin supplements significantly rescued the inhibition of germination rate of Arabidopsis thaliana seeds previously inhibited by the DHNQ. According to above results, DHNQ is a good natural herbicide candidate having a new target KAPAS, which is involved in biotin biosynthesis pathway, with environmental friendly.