Lhx8 (LIM homeobox 8) gene encodes a LIM homeodomain transcriptional regulator that is preferentially expressed in germ cells and critical for mammalian folliculogenesis. However, Lhx8 DNA binding sequences are not characterized yet. We aimed to identify and characterize a cis-acting sequence of germ-cell specific transcriptional factor, Lhx8. To identify Lhx8 DNA binding element, Cyclic Amplification of Sequence Target (CAST) Analysis was performed. Electrophoretic Mobility Shift Assay (EMSA) was processed for the binding specificity of Lhx8. Luciferase assay was for the transcriptional activity of Lhx8 through identified DNA binding site. We identified a putative cis-acting sequence, TGATTG as Lhx8 DNA binding element (LBE). In addition, Lhx8 binds to the LBE with high affinity and augments transcriptional activity of luciferase reporter driven by artificial promoter containing the Lhx8 binding element. These findings indicate that Lhx8 directly regulates the transcription of genes containing Lhx8 binding element in oocytes during early folliculogenesis.

An Arabidopsis small GTPase, RabG3b, was previously characterized as a component of autophagy and as a positive regulator for xylem development in Arabidopsis. In this work, we assessed whether RabG3b modulates xylem-associated traits in poplar in a similar way as in Arabidopsis. We generated transgenic poplars (Populus alba x P. tremula var. glandulosa) overexpressing a constitutively active form of RabG3b (RabG3bCA) and performed arrange of morphological, histochemical, and molecular analyses to examine xylogenesis. RabG3bCA transgenic poplars showed increased stem growth due to enhanced xylem development. Autophagic structures were observed in differentiating xyelm cells undergoing programmed cell death (PCD) in wild type poplar, and were more abundant in RabG3bCA transgenic poplar plants and cultured cells. Xylogenic activation was also accompanied by the expression of secondary wall-, PCD-, and autophagy-related genes. Collectively, our results suggest that Arabidopsis RabG3b functions to regulate xylem growth through the activation of autophagy during wood formation in Populus, as does the same in Arabidopsis.

The plant family chrysanthemum is known for its medicinal, ornamental, and economic purposes. Owing to its economic and biological significance to the difficult identification based on morphological characters, it is useful to develop DNA barcodes. DNA sequence data enable not only the inference of phylogenetic relationships but also provide an efficient method for species-level identifications under terms DNA barcoding or DNA taxonomy. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the utility of DNA barcoding in discriminating Chrysanthemum species. Four cpDNA regions (matK, rpoC, rpoB, trnH-psbA) and one nuclear (ITS) marker have sequenced from 28 specimens of 11 species from 4 genera of Chrysanthemum which were collected from 5 provinces in Korea. Comparisons of within and between species levels of sequence divergence showed that genetic variation between species exceeds variation within species.

Discovery, identification, and informatics of low molecular weight peptide are extensively rising in the field of proteomics research. In this study, we analyzed protein profiles to discover peptide based biomarker for twelve different soybean seeds with three different agronomic types using surface-enhanced laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (SELDI-TOF MS). For optimization of SELDI-TOF MS in soybean seed proteome analysis, four different extraction buffers were tested with urea solubilization buffer, thiourea/urea solubilization buffer, phenol extraction buffer, and modified trichloroacetic acid (TCA)/acetone precipitation/urea solubilization extraction buffer. Two different type of ProteinChip arrays, cation exchange (CM10) and anion exchange (Q10), applied to profile peptides. Among the four different extraction buffers, phenol extraction was selected to protein extraction methodology. Numbers of detected peak cluster in twelve soybean seeds were 125 at CM10 and 90 at Q10 array in the mass range from 2 to 40 kDa. Among them, 82 peak clusters at CM10 and 33 peak clusters at Q10 array showed significantly different peak clusters at p<0.00004 (CM10) and p<0.00005 (Q10) among twelve different soybean cultivars. Moreover, 29 peak clusters at CM10 and 17 peak clusters at Q10 array were detected in all cultivars as an ‘universally existed peptide’. In comparison with three different agronomic types, total of 55 peak clusters (CM10) and 23 peak clusters (Q10) were significantly different peak clusters at p<0.00004 and p<0.0001, respectively. In these probability levels, soybean seeds were well discriminated into different cultivar and different type with each other. Also we could find several specific peptide biomarkers for agronomic type.

Improvement of winter hardiness, diseases resistance and good quality have been recently received more attention by covered barley(Hordeum vulgare L.) breeders than ever in Korea. “Hyegang”, a new covered barley cultivar with similar maturing and high yield was developed by the National Institute of Crop Science, RDA in 2011. It was derived from the cross between “Milyang87/NWX-GB-G 2” and “Milyang87/Chalbori” with good quality. The initial cross was done in 2000 and the selected line, “Iksan445” (YB4625-B-B-6-2), showed high yield and good quality characteristics under yield trial test in 2008. It was cultivated three times for three years (2009～2011) in the four locations of regional yield trial (RYT) in korea and was investigated about agronomic and quality characteristics and released as “Hyegang”. The heading date was May 4 in upland and April 26 in paddy field which was 1 and 0 day lateness respectively than that of check cultivar, “Olbori”. The culm length was 77 cm which was 6 cm shorter than that with check cultivar. It showed the spike length of 4.7 cm, 800 spikes / m2, 64 grains / spike and 25.1g for 1,000 grains weight. It showed similar maturing and stronger resistance to barley yellow mosaic virus (BaYMV) compare to check cultivar. It showed higher diastatic power 216DP than that of check cultivar, ‘Olbori’. Average yield of “Hyegang” in the RYT was 4.61 MT/ha in upland and 4.38 MT/ha in paddy field, espectively.

A new rose variety, ‘Love Letter’ was selected from the progenies of a cross between ‘Red Giant’ and ‘Ensemble’ by rose breeding team of the Gyeonggi-Do Agricultural Research and Extension Services(GARES) in 2011. ‘Love Letter’ was crossed in 2007 and seedlings were produced. After the test of specific characters from 2008 to 2011, it was finally selected and named. ‘Love Letter’ was developed because of distinctive characters such as growth uniformity and high yielding potential. A standard type with large sized flower, It has red(Red Group 46A) color flower. ‘Love Letter’ takes 43 days from pruning to blooming and cut flower productivity was 152 stems/m2 in a year. The stems of cut flower have no thorn and the length was long with 70.5 cm. It has 9.3 cm in flower diameter and 32.4 in petal numbers per flower. Vase life of the this cultivar could be as long as 12 days.

A new rose variety, ‘Venus Berry’ was selected from the progenies of a cross between ‘Boy Friend’ and ‘GSR10315’ by rose breeding team of the Gyeonggi-Do Agricultural Research and Extension Services(GARES) in 2011. ‘Venus Berry’ was crossed in 2007 and seedlings were produced. After the test of specific characters from 2008 to 2011, it was finally selected and named. ‘Venus Berry’ was developed because of distinctive characters such as growth uniformity and high yielding potential. The petal of flower is so thick and has no scratch. A standard type with large sized flower, it has light pink(Red Purple Group 69C) color flower. ‘Venus Berry’ takes 45 days from pruning to blooming and cut flower productivity was 194.1 stems/m2 in a year. The length of cut flower was long with 65.5 cm. It has 10.2 cm in flower diameter and 43.6 in petal numbers per flower. Vase life of the this cultivar could be as long as 12 days.

This study elucidates the COD removal of dye (Rhodamine B) through electrochemical reaction. Effects of current density (7.2 to 43.3 mA/cm2), electrolyte type (NaCl, KCl, Na2SO4, HCl), electrolyte concentration (0.5 to 2.0 g/L), air flow rate (0 to 4 L/min) and pH (3 to 11) on the COD removal of Rhodamine B were investigated. The observed results showed that the increase of pH decrease the COD removal efficiency. Whereas, the increase of current density, NaCl concentration and air flow rate caused the increase of the COD removal of Rhodamine B.

This study is to generate SCARs markers for identification of Perilla species. A SCAR is a genomic DNA fragment at a single genetically defined locus that is identified by PCR amplification using a pair of specific oligonucleotide primers. We derived SCARs by sequencing and cloning the both ends of the amplified products of RAPD markers. Sixteen sequence-specific primers were synthesized from eight RAPD markers, which were completely sequenced. We developed the species-specific SCAR markers which could be used successfully in detecting genetic variation in four Perilla species. These markers could be used to verify species-origins of various forms of Perilla germplasms.

Eleutherococcus senticosus Maxim. has been successfully used as an oriental medicine for various diseases including allergic disorders. Histamine is a major factor on various allergic responses and it is reported that histamine was released from mast cells by sensitization of allergens. In this study, ethanol extracts from E. senticosus Maxim. were prepared and the composition was analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography. The eleutheroside B as a primary effective component of E. senticosus was contained approximately 225 mg/kg in root bark extracts. The extracts were found to significantly inhibit compound 48/80-induced histamine release form mast cells in dose dependent manner. However the extracts had low cytotoxicity on the mast cells with MTT assay. These results showed that E. senticosus Maxim. extracts may be the effective materials on inflammatory disorders.