Yu Shin Park

Generation of Expressed Sequence Tags of Random Root cDNA Clones of Brassica napus by Single-Run Partial Sequencing

Two hundred thirty-seven expressed sequence tags (ESTs) of Brassica napus were generated by single-run partial sequencing of 197 random root cDNA clones. A computer search of these root ESTs revealed that 21 ESTs show significant similarity to the protein-coding sequences in the existing data bases, including five stress- or defense-related genes and four clones related to the genes from other kingdoms. Northern blot analysis of the 10 data base-matched cDNA clones revealed that many of the clones are expressed most abundantly in root but less abundantly in other organs. However, two clones were highly root specific. The results show that generation of the root ESTs by partial sequencing of random cDNA clones along with the expression analysis is an efficient approach to isolate genes that are functional in plant root in a large scale. We also discuss the results of the examination of cDNA libraries and sequencing methods suitable for this approach.

Towards a critical understanding of the photosystem II repair mechanism and its regulation during stress conditions

Photosystem II (PSII) is vulnerable to high light (HL) illumination resulting in photoinhibition. In addition to photoprotection mechanisms, plants have developed an efficient PSII repair mechanism to save themselves from irreversible damage to PSII under abiotic stresses including HL illumination. The phosphorylation/dephosphorylation cycle along with subsequent degradation of photodamaged D1 protein to be replaced by the insertion of a newly synthesized copy of D1 into the PSII complex, is the core function of the PSII repair cycle. The exact mechanism of this process is still under discussion. We describe the recent progress in identifying the kinases, phosphatases and proteases, and in understanding their involvement in the maintenance of thylakoid structure and the quality control of proteins by PSII repair cycle during photoinhibition.

Selective fluorescent detection of RNA in living cells by using imidazolium-based cyclophane

A water-soluble imidazolium-based fluorescent chemosensor senses RNA selectively through fluorescence enhancement over other biologically relevant biomolecules in aqueous solution at physiological pH 7.4. Fluorescence image detection of RNA in living cells such as onion cells, HeLa cells, and animal model cells was successfully demonstrated which displays a chelation-enhanced fluorescence effect. These affinities can be attributed to the strong electrostatic (C-H)(+)···A(-) ionic H-bonding and the aromatic moiety driven π-stacking of imidazolium-based cyclophane with the size-complementary major groove of RNA.

Two putative protein kinases from Arabidopsis thaliana contain highly acidic domains.

Two cDNA clones (ASK1 and ASK2) for plant protein kinases were cloned from Arabidopsis thaliana by screening cDNA libraries with a degenerate oligonucleotide probe that corresponds to a highly conserved motif among protein kinases. Sequence analysis shows that the clones contain open reading frames that encode 41.2 kDa (ASK1) and 40.1 kDa (ASK2) proteins, respectively. These coding regions contain all the conserved motifs of protein kinases. Structural analysis of the coding regions revealed that the two protein kinase genes share high sequence similarity to each other (76.6% identity). The catalytic domain located in the amino terminal region is most similar to the calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase subfamily (47.2% to 54.2% similarity) and the SNF1 kinase subfamily (48.1% to 53.3% similarity). However, the carboxy terminal regions contain distinctive stretches of 21 (ASK1) and 19 (ASK2) acidic amino acids. These clones are the first report of protein kinases with such acidic amino acid regions. The transcripts of both genes are most abundant in leaf but are also expressed in other organs. The expression of the two genes is highly affected by light regime.

Loss-of-function of OsSTN8 suppresses the photosystem II core protein phosphorylation and interferes with the photosystem II repair mechanism in rice (Oryza sativa).

STN8 kinase is involved in photosystem II (PSII) core protein phosphorylation (PCPP). To examine the role of PCPP in PSII repair during high light (HL) illumination, we characterized a T-DNA insertional knockout mutant of the rice (Oryza sativa) STN8 gene. In this osstn8 mutant, PCPP was significantly suppressed, and the grana were thin and elongated. Upon HL illumination, PSII was strongly inactivated in the mutants, but the D1 protein was degraded more slowly than in wild-type, and mobilization of the PSII supercomplexes from the grana to the stromal lamellae for repair was also suppressed. In addition, higher accumulation of reactive oxygen species and preferential oxidation of PSII reaction center core proteins in thylakoid membranes were observed in the mutants during HL illumination. Taken together, our current data show that the absence of STN8 is sufficient to abolish PCPP in osstn8 mutants and to produce all of the phenotypes observed in the double mutant of Arabidopsis, indicating the essential role of STN8-mediated PCPP in PSII repair.

Functional complementation of a yeast vesicular transport mutation ypt1-1 by a Brassica napus cDNA clone encoding a small GTP-binding protein

A cDNA clone (bra) encoding a small GTP-binding protein was isolated from Brassica napus by screening a root cDNA library with a degenerate oligonucleotide probe that corresponds to a highly conserved GTP-binding domain of the Ras superfamily. Sequence analysis shows that the clone contains an open reading frame of 219 amino acid residues with the estimated molecular mass of 24379 Da and this coding region contains all the conserved motifs of the Ras superfamily. The deduced amino acid sequence of the bra gene is most closely related to the Ypt/Rab family that functions in the vesicular transport (46% and 47% amino acid identity to the yeast Ypt1 and to the human Rab1, respectively) and is more distantly related to the other Ras-related families. The protein encoded by the bra gene, when expressed in Escherichia coli, shows the ability to bind GTP. Furthermore, when the bra gene is introduced into Saccharomyces cerevisiae under the regulation of the yeast GAL1 promoter, the gene can complement the temperature-sensitive yeast mutation ypt1-1 that has defects in vesicular transport function. The amino acid sequence similarity and the functional complementation of the yeast mutation suggest that this gene is likely to be involved in the vesicular transport in plants. Genomic Southern analysis shows that this gene is a member of a small gene family in Brassica napus.

Molecule-level imaging of Pax6 mRNA distribution in mouse embryonic neocortex by molecular interaction force microscopy

Detection of the cellular and tissue distributions of RNA species is critical in our understanding of the regulatory mechanisms underlying cellular and tissue differentiation. Here, we show that an atomic force microscope tip modified with 27-acid dendron, a cone shaped molecule with 27 monomeric units forming its base, can be successfully used to map the spatial distribution of mouse Pax6 mRNA on sectioned tissues of the mouse embryonic neocortex. Scanning of the sectioned tissue with a 30-mer DNA probe attached to the apex of the dendron resulted in detection of the target mRNA on the tissue section, permitting mapping of the mRNA distribution at nanometer resolution. The unprecedented sensitivity and resolution of this process should be applicable to identification of molecular level distribution of various RNAs in a cell.

Developmental stage-dependent differential gene expression of superoxide dismutase isoenzymes and their localization and physical interaction network in rice ( Oryza sativa L.)

Superoxide dismutase (SOD) isoenzymes are essential for scavenging excess reactive oxygen species in living organisms. So far, expression pattern of SOD isoenzymes genes along leaf development plus their sub-cellular localization and physical interaction network have not yet been clearly elucidated. Using multiple bioinformatics tools, we predicted the sub-cellular localizations of SOD isoforms and described their physical interactions in rice. Using in silico approaches, we obtained several evidences for existence of seven SOD genes and a SOD copper chaperone gene. Their transcripts were differentially expressed along with different developmental stage of rice leaf. Finally, we performed quantitative real time-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) to validate in silico differential expression pattern of SOD genes experimentally. Expression of two cytosolic cCuZn-SODs was high during the whole vegetative stage. Two plastidic Fe-SODs were found and their expression levels were very low and started to increase from the late vegetative stage. Their expression patterns were very similar to each other, indicating the formation of heterodimer. However, their expression patterns are different from those for ArabidopsisFe-SODs. The expression of pCuZn-SOD was very high in the early developmental stage, but qRT-PCR results were different, which remains for further study. From the results on the differential expression of SOD genes, we can understand the role of each SOD gene and even predict their role under certain circumstances based on in silico analysis.

Frequent in-frame length variations are found in the diverged simple repeat sequences of the protein-coding regions of two putative protein kinase genes of Brassica napus

Two putative protein kinase cDNA clones were isolated from Brassica napus by screening with a putative protein kinase cDNA clone of Arabidopsis thaliana. The deduced amino acid sequences show a distinct modular composition, consisting of a possible protein kinase catalytic region at the amino terminus and a highly acidic region encoded from diverged simple repeat sequences at the carboxy terminus. Comparison of the nucleotide sequences encoding this acidic region revealed a high rate of in-frame length variation, while preserving the acidic characteristics. Similar variation is also found in the non-coding regions of these clones.

A new selective ‘turn-on’ small fluorescent cationic probe for recognition of RNA in cells

Fluorescent imaging probes have revolutionised cell biology by monitoring cellular objects. However, the lack of fluorescent probes with high selectivity for RNA has been a drawback. Thus, selective RNA binding for fluorescent sensors is essential. Here, we report the selective fluorescence enhancement upon addition of RNA. By exploiting a selective recognition of small tetra-cationic probe 1 for RNA, we also explain the possible binding mode for RNA. As a membrane-permeant fluorescence probe, 1 provides selective imaging of RNA not only in human neuroblastoma tumour SH-SY5Y cell line used for Parkinsons disease but also in the unicellular green alga cells. Further exploitation could open new opportunities in neurotoxin and cancer biology.