Background : Cytochrome P450 enzymes belong to the superfamily of monooxygenases that are found in all living organisms with diversity in their reaction chemistry. These P450 enzymes are being used extensively by plants in their defense mechanism. Tetracyclic triterpenes reported as major ginsenoside constituents in Panax ginseng, formed by multiple hydroxylation of cytochrome P450. CYP P450 enzymes is effective in metabolising both natural and xenobiotic compounds. In this study, two ginseng CYP genes (PgCYP76C and PgCYP736A) were functionally characterized by overexpression in heterologous plant system. Methods and Results : In Arabidopsis thaliana and Panax ginseng, planta transformation was generated by floral and cotyledon dipping method using Agrobacterium tumefaciens (C58C1) individually. Spatial and temporal patterns of gene expression were analyzed by qRT-PCR against abiotic and biotic stresses. Herbicide (chlorotoluron) tolerance was performed at seedling stage by in vitro assay to check ectopic expressions. PgCYP736A expression were more abundant in leaves compared to roots and stem of 2-years-old ginseng, where as PgCYP76C gene was found to be highly expressive in rhizome, roots and leaves. Differential expressions were observed in response to abiotic stresses of two ginseng CYP genes, both expressed higher in response to NaCl and SA (salysilic acid) in ginseng. Transgenic Arabidopsis plants overexpressing PgCYP76C gene showed small, rounded leaves and reduced height. This phenotype was found to be caused by down regulation of gibberellin biosynthesis-related genes. Another function revealed tolerance towards herbicides that belongs to phenyl urea. Conclusion : This study indicates the functional roles of CYP genes in plant growth and stress responses. Studied genes also can be used as a tool to make plants herbicide tolerant. Further investigation might focus on it’s function over terpene biosynthesis and defence mechansim against (a)biotic stress.

Rice (Oryza sativa) is the most important staple food of over half the world’s population. This study was conducted to evaluate the possible impact of transgenic rice cultivation on the soil microbial community. Microorganisms were isolated from the rhizosphere of GM and non-GM rice cultivation soils. Microbial community was identified based on the culture-dependent and molecular biology methods. The total numbers of bacteria, fungi, and actinomycete in the rhizosphere soils cultivated with GM and non-GM rice were similar to each other, and there was no significant difference between GM and non-GM rice. Dominant bacterial phyla in the rhizosphere soils cultivated with GM and non-GM rice were Actinobacteria, Firmicutes, and Proteobacteria. The microbial communities in GM and non-GM rice cultivated soils were characterized using the denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE). The DGGE profiles showed similar patterns, but didn’t show significant difference to each other. DNAs were isolated from soils cultivating GM and non-GM rice and analyzed for persistence of inserted gene in the soil by using PCR. The PCR analysis revealed that there were no amplified protox gene in soil DNA. These data suggest that transgenic rice does not have a significant impact on soil microbial communities, although continued research may be necessary.

Rice (Oryza sativa) is the most important staple food of over half the world’s population. This study was conducted to evaluate the possible impact of transgenic rice cultivation on the soil microbial community. Microorganisms were isolated from the rhizosphere of GM and non-GM rice cultivation soils. Microbial community was identified based on the culture-dependent and molecular biology methods. The total numbers of bacteria, fungi, and actinomycete in the rhizosphere soils cultivated with GM and non-GM rice were similar to each other, and there was no significant difference between GM and non-GM rice. Dominant bacterial phyla in the rhizosphere soils cultivated with GM and non-GM rice were Actinobacteria, Firmicutes, and Proteobacteria. The microbial communities in GM and non-GM rice cultivated soils were characterized using the denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE). The DGGE profiles showed similar patterns, but didn’t show significant difference to each other. DNAs were isolated from soils cultivating GM and non-GM rice and analyzed for persistence of inserted gene in the soil by using PCR. The PCR analysis revealed that there were no amplified protox gene in soil DNA. These data suggest that transgenic rice does not have a significant impact on soil microbial communities, although continued research may be necessary.