The early growth response protein 1 (Egr-1) is a widely reported zinc finger protein and a well known transcription factor encoded by the Egr-1 gene, which plays key roles in many aspects of vertebrate embryogenesis and in adult vertebrates. The Egr-1 expression is important in the formation of the gill vascular system in flounders, which develops during the post-hatching phase and is essential for survival during the juvenile period. However, the complete details of Egr-1 expression during embryo development in olive flounder are not available. We assessed the expression patterns of Egr-1 during the early development of olive flounders by using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis. Microscopic observations showed that gill filament formation corresponded with the Egr-1 expression. Thus, we showed that Egr-1 plays a vital role in angiogenesis in the gill filaments during embryogenesis. Further, Egr-1 expression was found to be strong at 5 days after hatching (DAH), in the development of the gill vascular system, and this strong expression level was maintained throughout all the development stages. Our findings have important implications with respect to the biological role of Egr-1 and evolution of the first respiratory blood vessels in the gills of olive flounder. Further studies are required to elucidate the Egr-1-mediated stress response and to decipher the functional role of Egr-1 in developmental stages.

To investigate the application of biochemical markers' and small-sample methods using whole-wheat flours for screening in early generation in Korean wheat breeding system, 74 Korean wheats, including cultivars, local breeding lines and experimental lines, were analyzed. Seed storage protein and amylose contents of grains were evaluated. Biochemical makers, including granule bound starch synthase (GBSS), high molecular weigh glutenin subunits (HMW-GS) and friabilin were also evaluated by using one-dimensional sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacryla-mide gel electrophoresis with a single kernel. The small­sample methods, including modified SDS-sedimentation test (MST), micro-alkaline water retention capacity (AWRC) and whole-wheat flour swelling volume (WSV) were also tested in this study. Protein content, MST and AWRC was 11.0 - 15.8~% , 2.7 - 26.2 ml and 71.9 - 109.7~% , respectively. Apparent and total amylose content and WSV was 20.6 - 25.0~% , 26.1 - 32.4~% and 9.0 - 16.9 ml, respectively. There were highly significant correlations between MST and AWRC (r=0.592, P<0.001), but Korean wheats showed no significant difference in protein content, amylose content and small-sample methods. In the biochemical markers, Korean wheats contained all three GBSS encoded by Wx loci, except for Suwon 252. Korean wheats showed the high frequency (58.1~% ) of 1Dx2.2 + 1Dy12 subunits of HMW-GS. Friabilin band was present in 46 lines (62.2~% ) and absent in 28 lines (37.8~% ). Friabilin-absence lines showed the higher MST (14.9 ml) and AWRC (92.1~% ) value than friabilin-presence lines (8.5 ml and 82.4~% , respectively).

Munjangbyeo' is a japonica rice cultivar developed from a cross between Sangsanbyeo and Suweon 397 by Sangju Substation of National Yeongnam Agricultural Experiment Station, RDA in 1999. The cultivar is early matured with heading date of Aug. 2 in ordinar