Reactive oxygen species (ROS) is toxic to living organisms, because its high reactivity causes oxidative damage to proteins, nucleic acids, and lipids. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) is an enzyme facilitating the removal of superoxide anions from living organisms. This study focused on the cloning of MnSOD cDNA from Hyphantria cunea and its induction upon bacterial infection and various stresses. The open reading frame of MnSOD is composed of 645 bp, encoding 215 amino acid residues. The theoretical molecular mass and pI of putative MnSOD was evaluated to be 24276 Da and 9.14, respectively. The MnSOD from H. cunea is highly similar to human MnSOD (59.5%) as well as Bombyx mori MnSOD (76.2%). MnSOD showed no big induction upon bacterial infection and stresses, compared to that of Cu/ZnSOD.

Apolipophorin-Ⅲ (apoLp-Ⅲ) is a hemolymph protein whose function is to facilitate lipid transport in an aqueous medium in insect. Recently, apolipophorin-Ⅲ in Galleria mellonella and Hyphantria cunea was shown to play an unexpected role in insect immune activation. We show here a novel possible function/role of apoLp-Ⅲ in insects. To investigate the genes which have a relationship with apoLp-Ⅲ in fall webworm larvae, we reduction of endogenous Hc apoLp-Ⅲ mRNA levels in larvae via RNA interference (RNAi). The RNAi-mediated Hc apoLp-Ⅲ reduction resulted in the reduction of antioxidants, like MnSOD, catalase, and glutathione S transferase as well as immune proteins. In particular, expression of MnSOD commonly decreased in fat body, midgut, and hemocytes following the knockdown of Hc apoLp-Ⅲ, which induced an elevated level of superoxide anion in H. cunea larvae. The observed effect of Hc apoLp-Ⅲ RNAi suggests that Hc apoLp-Ⅲ is related to the action/expression of antioxidants.

Innate immunity responses are triggered by the immune challenge and therefore involve signaling processes. The cellular response is initiated by hemocytes and mainly involves phagocytosis and encapsulation of intruders by these cells. To address whether Hc-STAT is activated upon bacterial challenge, we examined the subcellular location of STAT protein in hemocyte by immunostaining. A new insect member of the STAT family of transcription factors (Hc-STAT) has been cloned from the lepidopteran, Hyphantria cunea. The domain involved in DNA interaction and the SH2 domain are well conserved. The gene is transcribed at a low level during all stages of development, and the protein is present in hemocytes, fat body, midgut, epidermis, and Malphigian tuble (Mt). Especially, hemocytes and Mt showed transcriptional activation of Hc-STAT upon Gram (-) bacteria and fungal challenge. Gram (-) bacteria and fungal challenge specifically results in nuclear translocation of Hc-STAT protein and induction of DNA-binding activity that recognizes a STAT target site in H. cunea hemocyte. In vitro treatment with pervanadate translocates Hc-STAT to the nucleus in hemocyte cells. Here we report the first evidence for the involvement hemocyte JAK/STAT pathway upon microbial infection in lepidopteran insect.

배관 내부의 방사성 오염도를 측정하기 위한 ZnS(Ag)/플라스틱섬광체 조합의 알파/베타선 동시측정용 phoswich 검출기를 개발하였다. 알파/베타선 동시측정용 phoswich 검출기의 오염위치에 따른 검출 성능을 PSD (Pulse shape discrimination) 방법을 이용하여 평가하였다. 또한, 검출기를 방사성 오염물질로부터 보호하기 위한 오염방지용 필름에 대한 방사선 감쇄 정도를 실험적으로 평가하였다. PSD 방법으로 알파/베타선 분리 정도를 측정한 결과 충분히 알파와 베타선이 분리되었으며 오염방지용 필름의 적용 가능성을 확인하였다.

Various aspects of antioxidant activity in vitamin C were evaluated in this study. Relatively high level of 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity was detected in vitamin C, but not in non-antioxidative vitamin, vitamin B1. Vitamin C also reduced the production of lipid peroxidation in Chinese hamster lung fibroblast (V79-4) cells with IC50 value of 4μg/mℓ. Vitamin B1 showed comparable reduction in lipid peroxidation products (IC50 value was about 10μg/mℓ). It was shown that vitamin C also dose-dependently enhanced the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) in V79-4 cells, and these effects were not observed in vitamin Bl-treated cells. Our data suggest that well-known antioxidant vitamin C involved in direct activation of SOD, CAT and GPX.

Background : Fruit picking is the most labor consuming procedure for Boxthorn (Lycium chinense Mill.) growers. Recently fruit harvesters were invented and improved in the efficiency to fulfill the expectation of farmers through field demonstration tests. Additionally, T-type hedge cultivation method harmonized well with fruit picking machine, but it also needed to be improved in its’ pruning methods for the efficiency of fruit collecting procedure. Methods and Results : In this experiment, ‘Cheong-un’ cultivar and local variety were grown in the rain shelter greenhouses for the tests. Plots were set by randomized block design. There were two types of previously developed harvesters. One vibrates it’s harvest rod right and left (A type) and the other shakes it’s rod back and forth (B type). Among two harvesters A type was superior to B type in efficiency and convenience in use and it was able to harvest eleven times more fruits than manual picking in simple comparison test. In field comparison test, A type harvester performed 4.6 to 5 times more fruits than manual fruit picking. T-type hedge cultivation method is the proper way of enhancing efficiency of harvester. In the test, wiry perpendicular branches formed by once pruning method hindered moving forward of fruit collector. However installing collecting net with velcro along the edge under the field increased the efficiency and handiness of fruit harvester and well harmonized with T-type hedge cultivation. Conclusion : From the above results, the newly developed fruit harvester could increase the annual income of Boxthorn growers by reducing fruit picking labor and time.

Background : Boxthorn has been cultivated by conventional fertilization and irrigation methods that can be characterized by applying a great deal of fertilizers and a small amount of water compared to the other crops. With increasing rain shelter greenhouses, there were significant needs for developing new fertigation and irrigation methods. In this study, several prescribed fertigation methods for balanced fertilizer application and a few irrigation start methods based on soil moisture tension has been tested to confirm the fruit quality and productivity for Boxthorn growers. Methods and Results : In the experiment, ‘Cheong-un’ cultivar was grown in the rain shelter greenhouses for the tests. Plots were set by randomized block design. According to the growth investigation on the ‘Cheong-un’ cultivar which is supplied with four different formulated fertigation, the formulation N 15 me/ℓ increased the size and weight of fruit leading to 17% increased yield than the others. Additionally, on the amount of annual supply of fertigation with the concentration of N 15 me/ℓ, the treatment applied with 10kg/10a during the cultivation period facilitated overall growth of ‘Cheong-un’ cultivar and increased the yield as well. In the irrigation experiment ‘Cheong-un’ cultivar was grown in the four differently planned treatments that start irrigation at –20, -40, -50 and -100kPa soil moisture tensions. According to the investigation, the irrigation treatment starting at -50kPa enhanced the number of fruit bearing and productivity of Boxthorn consistently during two years. Conclusion : Therefore, the newly developed fertigation and irrigation methods could enhance the annual income of Boxthorn growers by increasing growth and yield.

Multivessel spontaneous coronary artery dissection is extremely rare. There are no guidelines regarding optimal treatment of spontaneous coronary artery dissection. The treatment depends on clinical symptoms, extent and location of the dissection, and the hemodynamic status of the patient. Although percutaneous coronary intervention might be required for all of the dissecting arteries, this case demonstrated the importance of an appropriate selection of treatment modalities for spontaneous coronary artery dissection.

Rye has important genes for biotic and abiotic stress resistance. Introduction of these genes to wheat by breeding wheat-rye translocation have been intensively used in wheat breeding program. Rye chromatin 1RS and/or 2RL show superior performance in unfavorable environments. In order to develop high yielding wheat, we applied various molecular breeding strategies. To develop EST-derived 1RS specific markers, we used comparative genomics with public sequence databases of Poaceae family. Putative rye chromatin specific sequences were used to design 1RS specific markers. To identify genes related to water deficiency, cDNA AFLP analysis was used in PEG treated seedlings of 1RS RILs. For functional analysis of identified genes and markers, we used Brachypodium distachyon, as a new model plant of temperate grasses. B. distachyon were recently applied for transformation and we constructed Agrobacterium-mediated transformation system. Integration of those strategies and conventional breeding method would enhance the usefulness of rye chromatins for wheat improvement.

The direct use of mutation is a valuable approach to generate variability in crops. The electron beam, one of the ionizing radiations, has been applied to evaluate its effect on seed germination and early seedling growth of creeping bentgrass (Agrostis palustris Huds., cv Penn-A1). The mature dry seeds were irradiated with various electron beam energies (0.3, 1.0, 1.3, and 2 MeV) and current levels (0.03 and 0.06 mA). Although large variability was existed within each dose, distinct difference of germiability and seedling vigor were not found at 0.3 MeV / 0.03 mA and 0.3 MeV / 0.06 mA beam condition. However, 1.0 MeV / 0.06 mA application most effectively inhibited and retarded seed germination and most severely restricted cotyledon and root growth in early seedling growth. The direct use of electron beam would be a valuable supplementary approach to generate mutants suitable for breeding purposes.

The production of sweet (su) and super sweet corns (sh2) has been economically feasible in Korea in recent years. Major factors limiting super sweet corn production are low germination and low seedling vigor. Since seed quality is closely related to seed maturity, the optimum harvest time for the seed production of sweet and super sweet corns was studied and the quality of seeds with varying maturities was investigated in 2001 and 2002 cropping seasons. The parents of the sweet corn seeds were Hybrid Early Sunglow and 'Golden Cross Bantam 70' and those of super sweet corn were Xtrasweet 82 and 'For­tune'. Seeds were harvested at 21, 28, 35, 42, 49, and 56 days after silking (DAS). As the seeds developed, seed weight of sweet corn increased and the seed moisture content decreased faster than that of super sweet corn. Germination rates of sweet corn seeds harvested 21 and 28 DAS at 25~circC and emergence rates in the cold soil test were significantly lower than those of seeds harvested after 42 DAS in both years. Although the germination rates of super sweet corn seeds with varying maturities showed similar patterns as sweet corn seeds at 25~circC , the emergence rate of super sweet corn seeds in cold soil test continuously increased with seed maturity. This suggests that seed quality of super sweet corn should be tested in a cold soil test to estimate field emergence. As the seeds developed, leakage of total sugars and electrolytes from the both sweet and super sweet corn seeds decreased up to 42 or 49 DAS. The α-amylase activities of both sweet and super sweet corn seeds increased with seed maturity from 21 to 35 or 49 DAS depending on genotype and year. The optimum harvest time for the seed production of sweet corn was 42 DAS and 49 DAS for super sweet corn considering emergence rate and plumule dry weight in the cold soil test, leakage of sugars and electrolytes from the seeds, and α-amylase activity.

One-dimensional sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (1D SDS-PAGE) was used to determine whether it would provide improved resolving power of hordein proteins concomitant with improved identification of Korean barley cultivars and germplams. This system gave rapid and reproducible separations of hordein polypeptides. Total fourteen of clear and easily scorable subunits were identified in Korean barley cultivars and germplasms and their polymorphic constitutions could provide biochemical genetic information in progeny analysis and endosperm quality improvement in barley breeding programs. Each hordein polypeptides residing in B, C, and D hordein pattern designations were scored to prepare a cultivar catalogue of protein patterns. On the basis of this character, 7 hordein polypeptide patterns were constructed from 108 barley cultivars and experimental lines. The molecular weight of hordein subunits in Korean barley cultivars and experimental lines varied in the range of 98 to 48 kDa. In contrast, less polymorphic hordein polypeptides were found in the low protein barley lines including malting barleys than those found in Korean barley cultivars and experimental lines

The environment in which a given genotype is grown may influence its grain quality characteristics. When varieties are ~times evaluated over numerous environments, a variety environment interaction usually is observed, but the relative magnitude of environmental(E), genetic(G), and G ~times E effects on quality is unclear. In order to determine relative contribution of genotype, environment, and G ~times E interaction to the variations observed in grain quality characteristics, 18 Korean wheat cultivars and experimental lines were evaluated in two environments in 1998 and 1999. Correlation coefficients between grain quality and agronomic characteristics were also estimated. The analysis of variance for the optical density obtained by reaction bet- ween gliadin and anti-gliadin polyclonal antibody (AGPab) indicated that gliadin content measured by Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay(ELISA) was significantly in- fluenced by environment and cultivar differences. The significant differences of year and year ~times location were also found. The ratio of the variances associated with environmental effects to the variances associated with genetic effect gave relatively greater influence of environmental factor on gliadin content. The different protein content from same genotype grown in different environment might be associated with degree of storage protein accumulations. Significant relationships between ELISA and protein content, yield, ten spike weight, and ten spike number were detected. Polyphenol oxidase (PPO) activity was significantly influenced by year, location, cultivar and year ~times location. The variance in grain PPO activities among growing years appeared larger than the variation produced by the cultivar examined. This suggested that the growing environment contributed more to variability in grain PPO concentration.

Immunological method has been applied in biochemical genetic analysis of seed storage proteins. We developed and characterized anti-gliadin polyclonal antibody (AGPab) specific to gliadin fractions whose quality and quantity were known to be associated with wheat end-use quality. Reactions of anti-gliadin polyclonal antibody (AGPab) to gliadin were linearly decreased as AGPab and antigen were diluted. Dot-blot and immunoblot assay showed that produced AGPab specifically reacted to gliadin and mainly α -, β -, and ~gamma -gliadin subunits. Enzyme-linked immuno- sorbent assay (ELISA) was applied for quantifi-cation of gliadins in Korean wheat cultivars and breeding lines by using AGPab. High reactions between AGPab and gliadins were found in wheat cultivars Olmil and Olgeurumil. Significant difference of optical densities for alcohol soluble proteins among crop species was found, as wheat showed the highest value (0.697) followed by rye (0.295), and barley (0.066).

Hamlet (PI549276) possessing 2RL was obtained by cross between a wheat cultivar ND7532 (Froid/Centurk) and a rye cultivar Chaupon. Chaupon was known to have resistant gene to biotype L of Hessian fly [Mayetiola destructor (Say)] larvae. The wheat-rye translocation line (Coker797*4/Hamlet) was also known to be resistant to biotype L of Hessian fly larvae. We analysed a set of 96 ESTs from the wheat-rye translocation line (2BS/2RL). ESTs were classified by various physiological processings, such as primary metabolism, secondary metabolism, transcription, translation, transport, signal transduction, defense, transposable element, and others. Three sequences encoding thioredoxin peroxidase, 26S rRNA, and rubisco small subunits were homologous to registered genes in rye. Although limited number of clones were used to develop ESTs, these clones and their sequence information may be useful for researchers studying general physiology and molecular biology on the translocation line.