• BMB Reports
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• v.38 no.6
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• pp.668-675
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• 2005

A full-length cDNA encoding taxadiene synthase (designated as TmTXS), which catalyzes the first committed step in the Taxol biosynthetic pathway, was isolated from young leaves of Taxus media by rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE). The full-length cDNA of TmTXS had a 2586 bp open reading frame (ORF) encoding a protein of 862 amino acid residues. The deduced protein had isoelectric point (pI) of 5.32 and a calculated molecular weight of about 98 kDa, similar to previously cloned diterpene cyclases from other Taxus species such as T. brevifolia and T. chinenisis. Sequence comparison analysis showed that TmTXS had high similarity with other members of terpene synthase family of plant origin. Tissue expression pattern analysis revealed that TmTXS expressed strongly in leaves, weak in stems and no expression could be detected in fruits. This is the first report on the mRNA expression profile of genes encoding key enzymes involved in Taxol biosynthetic pathway in different tissues of Taxus plants. Phylogenetic tree analysis showed that TmTXS had closest relationship with taxadiene synthase from T. baccata followed by those from T. chinenisis and T. brevifolia. Expression profiles revealed by RT-PCR under different chemical elicitor treatments such as methyl jasmonate (MJ), silver nitrate (SN) and ammonium ceric sulphate (ACS) were also compared for the first time, and the results revealed that expression of TmTXS was all induced by the tested three treatments and the induction effect by MJ was the strongest, implying that TmTXS was high elicitor responsive.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.26 no.6
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• pp.581-590
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• 2000

Alterations in the cellular genome affecting the expression or function of genes controlling cell growth and differentiation are considered to be the main cause of cancer. Over 30 oncogenes can be activated by insertional mutagenesis, single point mutations, chromosomal translocations and gene amplification. The ras oncogenes have been detected in $15{\sim}20%$ of human tumors that include some of the most common forms of human neoplasia and are known to acquire their transforming properties by single point mutations in two domains of their coding sequences, most commonly in codons 12 and 61. The ras gene family consists of three functional genes, N-ras, K-ras and H-ras which encode highly similar proteins of 188 or 189 amino acid residues generically known as P21. ras proteins have been shown to bind GTP and GTP, and possess intrinsic GTPase activity. Experimental study was performed to observe the mutational change of the ras gene family and apply the results to the clinical activity. 36 Golden Syrian Hamster each weighing $60{\sim}80g$ were used and painted with 0.5% DMBA by 3 times weekly on the right buccal cheek(experimental side) for 6, 8, 10, 12, 14 and 16 weeks. Left buccal cheek (control side) was treated with mineral oil as the same manner of the right side. The hamsters were sacrificed on the 6, 8, 10, 12, 14 & 16 weeks. Normal and tumor tissues from paraffin block were completely dissected by microdissection and DNA from both tissue were isolated by proteinase K/phenol/chloroform extraction. Segments of the K-ras and H-ras gene were amplified by PCR using the oligonucleotide primers corresponding to the homologous region (codon 12 and 61) of the hamster gene, and then confirmational change of ras genes was observed by SSCP and autosequencing analysis. The results were as follows : 1. Malignant lesion could be found in the experimental side from the experimental six weeks. 2. One hamster among six showed point mutation of the H-ras codon 12($G{\rightarrow}A$ transition) at the experimental 10 and 14 weeks. 3. One of six at 6 weeks, two of six at 8 weeks and one of six at 12 weeks revealed the confirmational change of the H-ras codon 61($A{\rightarrow}T$ transversion). 4. The incidence of point mutation of H-ras codon 12 and 61 were 5.5%(2 of 36) and 11%(4 of 36) respectively. 5. Point mutation of the K-ras could not be seen during the whole experimental period. Form the above results, these findings strongly support the concept that H-ras oncogenes may have the influence of the DMBA induced carcinoma of hamster buccal pouch.

• BMB Reports
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• v.39 no.5
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• pp.502-510
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• 2006

2C-methyl-D-erythritol 2, 4-cyclodiphosphate synthase (MECPS, EC: 4.6.1.12) is the fifth enzyme of the non-mevalonate terpenoid pathway for isopentenyl diphosphate biosynthesis and is involved in the methylerythritol phosphate (MEP) pathway for ginkgolide biosynthesis. The full-length mecps cDNA sequence (designated as Gbmecps) was cloned and characterized for the first time from gymnosperm plant species, Ginkgo biloba, using RACE (rapid amplification of cDNA ends) technique. The full-length cDNA of Gbmecps was 874 bp containing a 720 bp open reading frame (ORF) encoding a peptide of 239 amino acids with a calculated molecular mass of 26.03 kDa and an isoelectric point of 8.83. Comparative and bioinformatic analyses revealed that GbMECPS showed extensive homology with MECPSs from other species and contained conserved residues owned by the MECPS protein family. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that GbMECPS was more ancient than other plant MECPSs. Tissue expression pattern analysis indicated that GbMECPS expressed the highest in roots, followed by in leaves, and the lowest in seeds. The color complementation assay indicated that GbMECPS could accelerate the accumulation of $\beta$-carotene. The cloning, characterization and functional analysis of GbMECPS will be helpful to understand more about the role of MECPS involved in the ginkgolides biosynthesis at the molecular level.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.26 no.6
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• pp.536-547
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• 2008

Anthocyanidin synthase (ANS, leucoanthocyanidin oxygenase), a 2-oxoglutarate iron-dependent oxygenase, catalyzed the penultimate step in the biosynthesis of the anthocyanin class of flavonoids, from the colorless leucoanthocyanidins to the colored anthocyanidins. The full-length cDNA and genomic DNA sequences of ANS gene (designated as GbANS) were isolated from Ginkgo biloba for the first time. The full-length cDNA of GbANS contained a 1062-bp open reading frame (ORF) encoding a 354-amino-acid protein. The genomic DNA analysis showed that GbANS gene had three exons and two introns. The deduced GbANS protein showed high identities to other plant ANSs. The conserved amino acids (H-X-D) ligating ferrous iron and residues (R-X-S) participating in 2-oxoglutarate binding were found in GbANS at the similar positions like other ANSs. Southern blot analysis indicated that GbANS belonged to a multi-gene family. The expression analysis by real-time PCR showed that GbANS expressed in a tissue-specific manner in G. biloba. GbANS was also found to be up-regulated by all of the six tested abiotic stresses, UV-B, abscisic acid, sucrose, salicylic acid, cold and ethylene, consistent with the promoter region analysis of GbANS. The recombinant protein was successfully expressed in E. coli strain with pET-28a vector. The in vitro enzyme activity assay by HPLC indicated that recombinant GbANS protein could catalyze the formation the cyanidin from leucocyanidin and conversion of dihydroquercetin to quercetin, suggesting GbANS is a bifunctional enzyme within the anthocyanidin and flavonol biosynthetic pathway.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.285-294
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• 1994

Dried top and root extracts of seven different weed species, fresh top and root extracts, and various concentrations of extract (0, 5, 10 and 15%, W/V) and residue rate (0.0, 0.25. 0.5, 0.75 and 1.0%) of velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti Medic.) were used to study their allelopathic effects on alfalfa in the laboratory and greenhouse. Top and root aqueous extracts of common lambsquarter (Chenopodium album L.), giant foxtail (Setaria faberii Herrm), redroot pig-weed (Amaranthus retroflexus L), velvetleaf, large crabgrass (Digitaria sanguinalis L), canada thistle (Cirsium arvense L.) and prostrate knotweed (Polygonium aviculare L.) significantly inhibited germination, seedling length, weight, and vigor in alfalfa. Top growth extracts of weeds exhibited greater allelopathic effects than root extracts. Alfalfa test species, WL-320, responded significantly different to the various weed species extracts in terms of allelopathic effect. The regression slopes of various top extracts showed significant variation with respect to germination percentage. Velvetleaf (b=3.69) extracts were the most inhibitory, while large crabgrass (b=2.39) extracts had the least allelopathic effect on alfalfa. When compared the activity of fresh velvetleaf extract to that of dry velvetleaf extract, dry extract was more inhibitory to alfalfa germination and seedling growth. Germination, seedling length and weight of alfalfa were inversely proportional to the concentration of dried velvetleaf extracts. Seedling emergence and survival percentage was inhibited by velvetleaf residue mixture treatment. Also, more of the toxic effects were observed from the dried top extracts, as compared to extracts from fresh top and root. These results demonstrate the allelopathic activity of different weed species extracts and suggest that weeds may affect crop growth and development due to the inhibitory effects of allelochemicals present in weed tissue.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.164-168
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• 2006

The residue depletion of ampicillin was investigated in the olive flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus), rockfish (Sebastes schlegeli), and red sea bream (Pagrus major) after 5 days treatment with medicated feed at a dose of 100 mg/kg bw/day. Fishes were sampled for muscle on 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th day after treatment. Ampicillin concentrations were determined by high performance liquid chromatography after SPE column extraction. The recovery rates of ampicillin in muscle samples ranged 94-98% and 83-88% for the concentration of 0.05 mg/kg and 0.1 mg/kg, respectively. Ampicillin concentrations detected on 1st day after treatment were 0.143, 0.138, and 0.187 mg/kg in the muscle of olive flounder, rockfish, and red sea bream, respectively. After a withdrawal of 3 days, muscle concentrations were 0.016, 0.012, and 0.021 mg/kg in the olive flounder, rockfish, and red sea bream, respectively. Ampicillin was not detectable in muscle samples on 4 days following withdrawal of the medicated feed. From results of the present study, a withdrawal period of ampicillin is proposed on 5 days after 5 days treatment with medicated feed at a dose of 100 mg/kg bw/day to avoid the presence of excessive residues of the edible muscles of olive flounder, rockfish, and red sea bream.

• Korean Journal of Plant Tissue Culture
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.283-287
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• 2001

Differential display based on PCR was employed to identify genes expressed during tuber-developing stage of potato (Solanum tuberosum L. cv. Irish Cobbler). An eukaryotic initiation factor 5A (eIF-5A) clone isolated from a cDNA library constructed with developing micro-tuber using a probe of PCR fragment. We isolated three positive clones and ore of them contained open reading frame. This clone revealed high sequence similarity to tomato eIF 5A cDNA. At the DNA level, there is 94.8% identity with the tomato eIF-5A4, whereas at the protein level there is a high identity with 97.5%. The potato eIF 5A clone is 716 bp in length and contains a single open reading frame from 57 to 539 bp, a 56 bp 5'-untranslated region and a 177 bp 3'-untranslated region. The deduced protein composed of 160 amino acid residues, with a predicted molecular mass of 17.4 kD and an estimated pl of 5.5. The sequence of 12 (STSKTGKHGHAK) amino acids among eIF-5A proteins is perfectly conserved from yeast to human. That sequence in potato eIF-5A protein is also conserved at position 46 to 57 amino acid. This region embeds the post-translational modification site of the lysine residue (at the seventh K) to hypusine that is crucial to eIF-5A activity. The northern blot analysis of eIF5A has shown abundant expression, mainly in flower organs (stamen, ovary, petal, sepal), fruit and stolen.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.23-28
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• 2007

The residue depletion of streptomycin was investigated in the olive flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus), rockfish (Sebastes schlegeli), and red sea bream (Pagrus major) after consecutive three days treatment with dipping water at a dose of 20 g/ton water. Fishes were sampled for muscle on 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th day after treatment. Streptomycin concentrations were determined by high performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry. The recovery rates of streptomycin in muscle samples ranged from 87.2 to 102.3% and from 80.4 to 94.1% for the concentration of 0.05 mg/kg and 0.1 mg/kg, respectively. Streptomycin concentrations detected on the 1st day after treatment were 0.066, 0.058, and 0.073 mg/kg in muscles of olive flounder, rockfish, and red sea bream, respectively. At day 2, residue concentrations of all samples were believed to decrease to lower than 0.05 mg/kg, the detection limit. From results of the present study, a withdrawal period of streptomycin is proposed on 3 days after consecutive three days treatment with dipping administration at a dose of 20 g/ton water to avoid the presence of excessive residues of the edible muscles of olive flounder, rockfish, and red sea bream. The present study showed that residue concentrations of streptomycin decreased to below 0.05 mg/kg after treatment 2nd day.

• Proceedings of the Ginseng society Conference
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• 2004.05a
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• pp.17-28
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• 2004

As Korean ginseng is hybrid, an individual variation is very severe, and it takes long times in new breeding because it is required 4 years to pick the seed. But, transformation technique makes the high-functional breeding in short time. The focus of these ginseng studies is to find and secure the useful gene. And it is urgent to accumulate the fundamental data for the molecular breeding and secure the useful genes. Therefore, transformation and soil acclimatization technique are necessary to molecular breeding in use of the introduction of functional genes. In this study, it add to secure of new regulation gene and useful gene as to accumulate the fundamental data for the place where it will contribute to raise the national competitive power. To analyze the useful genes in large scale, we constructed CDNA libraries with various tissues, species, and treated tissue. EST analysis of ginseng perform in large scale and build the EST database of ginseng. We perform the full length sequencing about the selected lots of clones that include the entire open reading frame of the amino acid residues and construct cDNA chip with the parental EST clones. Establishment of the transformation and a soil acclimatization system throuth the re-introduction of the selected ginseng gene that related with the secondary metabolism and anti-stress into the ginseng.

• Proceedings of the Botanical Society of Korea Conference
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• 2002.04a
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• pp.62-72
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• 2002

This study has investigated the biosynthesis and function of the heavy metal binding peptides, the phytochelatins, in plants. PCs are synthesised enzymatically from glutathione by the enzyme PC synthase in the presence of heavy metal ions. Using Arabidopsis thaliana as a model organism cadmium-sensitive, phytochelatin-deficient mutants have been isolated and characterised in previous studies. The cadl mutants have wildtype levels of glutathione, are PC deficient and lack PC synthase activity. Thus, the CADl gene has been proposed to encode PC synthase. The CADl gene was isolated by a positional cloning strategy The gene was mapped and a candidate identified. Each of four cadl mutants had a single base pair change in the candidate gene and the cadmium-sensitive, cadl phenotype was complemented by the candidate gene. This demonstrated the CADl gene had been cloned. A homologous gene in the fission yeast, Schizosaccharomyces pombe was identified through database searches. A targeted-deletion mutation of this gene was constructed and the mutant, like cadl mutants of Arabidopsis, was cadmium-sensitive and PC-deficient. A comparison of the redicted amino acid sequences reveals a highly conserved N-terminal region Presumed to be the catalytic domain and a variable C-terminal region containing multiple Cys residues proposed to be involved in activation of the enzyme by metal ions. Similar genes were also identified in animal species. The Arabidopsis CADl/AtPCSl and S. pombe SpbPCS genes were expressed in E. coli and were shown to be sufficient for glutathione-dependent, heavy metal activate PC synthesis in vitro, thus demonstrating these genes encode PC synthase enzymes. Using RT-PCR, AtPCSl expression appeared to be independent of Cd exposure. However, at higher levels of Cd exposure a AtPCSl-CUS reporter gene construct appeared to be more highly expressed. Using the reporter gene construct, AtPCSl was expressed most tissues. Expression appeared to be greater in younger tissues and same higher levels of expression was observed in some regions, including carpels and the base of siliques. AtPCS2 was a functional gene encoding an active PC synthase. However, its Pattern of expression and the phenotype of a mutant (or antisense line) have not been determined. Assuming the gene is functional then it has clearly been maintained through evolution and must provide some selective advantage. This implies that, at least in some cells or tissue, it is likely to be the dominant PC synthase expressed. This remains to be determined