Spatial- and temporal-specific expression patterns are primarily regulated at the transcriptional level by the promoter. Therefore, it is important to determine the binding motifs of transcription factors to understand the networks associated with embryogenesis. Here, we used a protein-binding microarray (PBM) to determine the binding motif of OsSMF1, which is a basic leucine zipper transcription factor that is involved in the regulation of rice seed maturation. OsSMF1 (previously called RISBZ1) is known to interact with GCN4 motifs (TGA(G/C)TCA) to regulate seed storage proteins (SSPs). In addition, OsSMF1 (also known as OsbZIP58) functions as a key regulator of starch synthesis in the rice seed. Quadruple 9-mer-based PBM (Q9-PBM) and electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) experiments revealed that OsSMF1 binds to the ACGT (CCACGT(C/G)), GCN4 (TGA(G/C)TCA), and GCN4-like (GGATGAC) motifs with Kd values of 0.3353 μM, 0.6458 μM, and 1.117 μM, respectively. We also identified 60 putative OsSMF1 target genes using a combination of data from expression microarrays and RiceArrayNet (RAN) analysis. Of these OsSMF1 target genes, 20, 22, and 17 genes contained ACGT, GCN4, and GCN4-like motifs within the 2-kb promoter region, respectively. In addition to known target genes, we also identified 35 potential OsSMF1 target genes that have not been previously described in immature seeds. We also confirmed that OsSMF1 directly regulates Os03g0168500 (thioredoxin-related protein), RPBF, NAC6, and two hypothetical proteins (Os12g0621600 and Os11g0582400) in vivo. This study suggests that OsSMF1 functions in a wide range of seed development processes with specific binding affinities for three DNA binding motifs

The perturbation of the steady state of reactive oxygen species due to biotic and abiotic stresses in a plant could lead to protein denaturation through the modification of amino acid residues, including the oxidation of methionine residues. Methionine sulfoxide reductases (MSRs) catalyze the reduction of methionine sulfoxide back to the methionine residue. To assess the role of this enzyme, we generated transgenic rice using a pepper CaMSRB2 gene under the control of the rice Rab21 promoter with/without a selection marker, the bar gene. A drought resistance test on transgenic plants showed that CaMSRB2 confers drought tolerance to rice, as evidenced by less oxidative stress symptoms and a strengthened PSII quantum yield under stress conditions, and increased survival rate and chlorophyll index after the re-watering. The results from immunoblotting using a methionine sulfoxide antibody and nano-LC-MS/MS spectrometry suggest that porphobilinogen deaminase (PBGD), which is involved in chlorophyll synthesis, is a putative target of CaMSRB2. The oxidized methionine content of PBGD expressed in E. coli increased in the presence of H2O2, and the Met-95 and Met-227 residues of PBGD were reduced by CaMSRB2 in the presence of dithiothreitol. An expression profiling analysis of the overexpression lines also suggested that photosystems are less severely affected by drought stress. Our results indicate that CaMSRB2 might play an important functional role in chloroplasts for conferring drought stress tolerance in rice

The surveying of binding affinity between a particular transcription factor and DNA motifs is important in order to understand the developmental specific gene expression and regulatory networks of an organism. The microarray-based technologies (protein-binding microarrays; PBMs) provide useful predictions for understanding the transcriptional regulatory code in a genome-wide manner. The PBM was designed in such a way that target probes were synthesized as quadruples of all possible 9-mer combinations, named Q9-UPBM. Also, we developed rice promoter PBM (RPBM) using 19,480 rice promoter sequences containing 40 bp long probe with overlapping 20 bp (cover 1kb from 5’ upstream). We applied RISBZ1 protein, an endosperm specific basic leucine zipper transcription factor, to compare binding site specificities between Q9-UPBM and RPBM and find directly regulated promoter regions through the RPBM. Several cis-elements; Prolamin box (TGTAAAG), GCN4 motif (TGA(G/C)TCA), AACA motif (AACAAAA), and ACGT motif, are highly conserved in the promoters of cereal seed storage protein genes, and play a central role in controlling endosperm specific expression during seed maturation. Characterization of cis-elements and TFs has been performed on many storage protein genes of several crop plants, but the mechanisms are still poorly understood. Two chips provide RISBZ1 could bind to ACGT motif such as a CCACGTCA site and GGATGAC site as well as GCN4 motif known binding site. In RPBM binding affinity to CCACGTCA was highly significant, compared to GGATGAC site. The difference might be caused by the biased presence of specific promoter rather than Q9-UPBM. Also our results will provide direct insight into the importance of combinatorial interplay between cis-elements in regulating the expression of seed storage protein genes.

An OTO intersectional hybrid lily cultivar ‘Flashy Party’ was developed in 2011 at National Institute of Horticultural and Herbal Science (NIHHS), Rural Development Administration (RDA), of Korea. The cross was made between female parents Lilium OT intersectional hybrid ‘Avocado’ and male parents L. Oriental hybrid ‘Acapulco’ in 2005. Preliminarily selection was done as ‘OTO-08-3’ in 2008. Multiplication and bulb formation, and characteristic tests were conducted from 2008 to 2010. The evaluation of this line was performed and named as ‘Flashy Party (Wongyo C1-113)’ in 2011. ‘Flashy Party’ flowers in the end of June and grows average 131 cm. It flowers semi upward-facing, Red-light yellow color(RHS, R47A+Y8C) with the size of flower 21.5 cm. Mean outer-petal length and width is 15 cm and 4.7 cm, respectively. Leaves are 20 cm long and 3.3 cm wide, respectively. The weight and size of bulb is 65.3 g and 18 cm, respectively. Year-round flowering can be by storing the bulb under -1.5℃ conditions. For forcing culture, it is necessary to add calcium to the fertilizer or remove side scales to prevent leaf scorch. It is needed to control Botrytis disease in wet season.

An Asiatic lily cultivar ‘Red Flame’ was developed in 2011 at National Institute of Horticultural and Herbal Science (NIHHS), Rural Development Administration (RDA), of Korea. The cross was made between female parents Lilium Asiatic ‘A01-78’ and male parents L. Asiatic ‘Rodrigo’ in 2001. Preliminarily selection was done as ‘A04-8’ in 2004. Multiplication and bulb formation, and characteristic tests were conducted from 2005 to 2010. The evaluation of this line was performed and named as ‘Wongyo C1-110’ in 2011. ‘Red Flame’ flowers at the first days of June and grows average 95.6 cm. It flowers upward-facing, dark red (RHS, R45A) with the size of flower 15.7 cm. Mean petal length and width is 9.7 cm and 3.0 cm, respectively. Leaves are 11 cm long and 1.7 cm wide, respectively. The weight and size of bulb is 52 g and 18 cm, respectively. Year-round flowering can be by storing the bulb under -1.5℃ conditions. For forcing culture, it is necessary to add calcium to the fertilizer or remove side scales to prevent leaf scorch. It is needed to control Botrytis disease in wet season.

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.

The groundnut or cultivated peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) in Korea consists of 36 domestic varieties which have been developed and registered as cultivars for the public during last 25 years. To screen and identify of Korean peanut varieties and genetic resources, we present a simple and reliable method. A methodology based on simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers developed and widely used for prominent gene identification and variety discrimination. For identification of those 36 Korean peanut varieties, 238 unique peanut SSR markers were selected from some previously reported results, synthesized and used for polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Data were taken through acryl amide gel electrophoresis and changed into proper formats for application of data mining analysis using Biomine (all-in-one functional genomics data mining program). Consequently, twelve SSR primers were investigated and revealed the differences between those 36 varieties. These primer pairs amplified 27 alleles with an average of 2.3 allele per primer pair. In addition, those results showed genetic relationship by classification method within 36 varieties. The approach described here could be applied to monitoring of our varieties and adapting to peanut breeding program.