The complete chloroplast genome sequences of six Hylotelephium species: Comparative genomic analysis and phylogenetic relationships.

To evaluate the phylogenetic relationships between Hylotelephium and Orostachys, and to provide important information for further studies, we analyzed the complete chloroplast genomes of six Hylotelephium species and compared the sequences to those of published chloroplast genomes of congeneric species and species of the closely related genus, Orostachys. The total chloroplast genome length of nineteen species, including the six Hylotelephium species analyzed in this study and the thirteen Hylotelephium and Orostachys species analyzed in previous studies, ranged from 150,369 bp (O. minuta) to 151,739 bp (H.

Isolation and Characterization of the Genes Involved in the Berberine Synthesis Pathway in Asian Blue Cohosh, .

, commonly named Asian blue cohosh, is a perennial herb in the family Berberidaceae. It has traditionally been used for folk medicine in China. We isolated berberine from the leaves, stem, roots, and fruits of , and this is the first report on berberine in this species.

Genetic and demographic signatures accompanying the evolution of the selfing syndrome in Daphne kiusiana, an evergreen shrub.

Background And Aims: The evolution of mating systems from outcrossing to self-fertilization is a common transition in flowering plants. This shift is often associated with the 'selfing syndrome', which is characterized by less visible flowers with functional changes to control outcrossing. In most cases, the evolutionary history and demographic dynamics underlying the evolution of the selfing syndrome remain poorly understood.

The complete chloroplast genome sequences of eight Orostachys species: Comparative analysis and assessment of phylogenetic relationships.

We analyzed the complete chloroplast genomes of eight Orostachys species and compared the sequences to those of published chloroplast genomes of the congeneric and closely related genera, Meterostachys and Hylotelephium. The total chloroplast genome length of thirteen species, including the eight species analyzed in this study and the five species analyzed in previous studies, ranged from 149,860 (M. sikokianus) to 151,707 bp (H.

The complete chloroplast genome sequence of (Crassulaceae).

The chloroplast (cp) genome sequence is determined and analyzed for for the first time. The cp genome was 150,369 bp in length, containing a large single-copy (LSC) of 82,795 bp and a small single-copy (SSC) of 16,854 bp, which were separated by a pair of 25,360 bp inverted repeats (IRs). The overall G + C content of the cp genome amounted to 37.

The complete plastid genome sequence of (A. Gray) Solms-Laub. in Chloranthaceae.

(A. Gray) Solms-Laub. is a perennial herb in a basal angiosperm family Chloranthaceae.

Comparative Transcriptomics for Genes Related to Berberine and Berbamine Biosynthesis in Berberidaceae.

Berberine and berbamine are bioactive compounds of benzylisoquinoline alkaloids (BIAs) present in species. The contents of berbamine are 20 times higher than berberine in leaf tissues in three closely related species: and . This is the first report on the quantification of berberine compared to the berbamine in the species.

Gene Expression and Isoform Identification of PacBio Full-Length cDNA Sequences for Berberine Biosynthesis in .

is a medicinal plant containing berberine, which is a bioactive compound of the benzylisoquinoline alkaloid (BIA) class. BIA is widely used in the food and drug industry for its health benefits. To investigate the berberine biosynthesis pathway, gene expression analysis was performed in leaves, flowers, and fruits at different stages of growth.

The complete plastid genome sequence of (Fagaceae), an evergreen broad-leaved oak endemic to East Asia.

We are reporting the complete plastid genome (plastome) of , an evergreen broad-leaved oak endemic to East Asia. This species is important for maintaining the warm-temperate evergreen forest biome in East Asia. The plastome is 160,522 base pairs (bp) long, with two inverted repeat (IR) regions (25,839 bp each) that separate a large single copy (LSC) region (90,199 bp) and a small single copy (SSC) region (18,645 bp).

The complete chloroplast genome of Nakai from Dokdo Island in Korea (Campanulaceae).

Completed chloroplast genome of Nakai isolated from Dokdo island in Korea is 169,719 bp long (GC ratio is 38.8%) and has four subregions: 102,381 bp of large single-copy (37.8%) and 7,750 bp of small single-copy (32.

A Disjunctive Marginal Edge of Evergreen Broad-Leaved Oak () in East Asia: The High Genetic Distinctiveness and Unusual Diversity of Jeju Island Populations and Insight into a Massive, Independent Postglacial Colonization.

Jeju Island is located at a marginal edge of the distributional range of East Asian evergreen broad-leaved forests. The low genetic diversity of such edge populations is predicted to have resulted from genetic drift and reduced gene flow when compared to core populations. To test this hypothesis, we examined the levels of genetic diversity of marginal-edge populations of , restricted to a few habitats on Jeju Island, and compared them with the southern Kyushu populations.

An unexpected genetic diversity pattern and a complex demographic history of a rare medicinal herb, Chinese asparagus (Asparagus cochinchinensis) in Korea.

Range-wide population studies of wide spread species are often associated with complex diversity patterns resulting from genetically divergent evolutionary significant units (ESUs). The compound evolutionary history creating such a pattern of diversity can be inferred through molecular analyses. Asparagus cochinchinensis, a medicinally important perennial herb, is in decline due to overharvesting in Korea.

Development and characterization of 30 microsatellite loci for (Berberidaceae).

Premise Of The Study: (Berberidaceae) has been listed as an endangered species in Korea due to extensive collection and destruction of natural habitats. In this study, 30 microsatellite loci, including 25 polymorphic loci, were developed for for use in population-level genetic analyses.

Methods And Results: We carried out transcriptome sequencing and isolated a total of 30 expressed sequence tag-simple sequence repeat markers from using Illumina HiSeq high-throughput sequencing.

Genetic diagnosis of a rare myrmecochorous species, (Berberidaceae): Historical genetic bottlenecks and strong spatial structures among populations.

Distribution of genetic variation over time and space is relevant to demographic histories and tightly linked to ecological disturbances as well as evolutionary potential of an organism. Therefore, understanding the pattern of genetic diversity is a primary step in conservation and management projects for rare and threatened plant species. We used eight microsatellite markers to examine the level of genetic diversity, spatial structure, and demographic history of , a rare myrmecochorous herb, populations sampled across northeast Asia and Siberia.

(Balsaminaceae), a new species from Cambodia.

, a new species of family Balsaminaceae from Phnum Bokor National Park in southwestern Cambodia, is described and illustrated. The species is similar to , but is readily distinguished by the orbicular-obovate dorsal petal, shorter pedicels and larger seeds.

Development of microsatellite markers based on expressed sequence tags in (Asparagaceae).

Premise Of The Study: Transcriptome-derived simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers were developed in (Asparagaceae). Due to its application in traditional medicine, its wild populations are threatened by over-collection even in protected areas, requiring immediate conservation efforts.

Methods And Results: Based on transcriptome data of , 96 primer pairs with two to seven alleles per locus were selected for initial validation; of those, 27 primer pairs amplified across all samples, resulting in 15 polymorphic and 12 monomorphic microsatellite markers.

Development of microsatellite markers for (Santalaceae) and their application to wild populations.

Premise Of The Study: Microsatellite primers were developed for (Santalaceae), a semiparasitic medicinal plant that is known for its anticancer properties. Due to excessive human harvesting and loss of suitable habitat of its populations, it has become a potentially threatened species requiring immediate conservation efforts.

Methods And Results: Based on transcriptome data for , 124 primer pairs were randomly selected for initial validation, of which 19 yielded polymorphic microsatellite loci, with two to six alleles per locus.

Synthesis and Characterization of Water-Soluble Conjugated Oligoelectrolytes for Near-Infrared Fluorescence Biological Imaging.

Near-infrared (NIR) fluorophores attract increasing attention as a molecular marker (or probe) for in vivo and in vitro biological fluorescence imaging. Three types of new NIR fluorescent conjugated oligoelectrolytes (COEs: Q-FlTBTTFl, Q-FlBBTFl, and Q-FlTBBTTFl) are synthesized with quaternized ammonium ionic groups in their side-chains for water solubility. The emission wavelength is modulated in the range 600-1300 nm, by adjusting the intramolecular charge transfer in the molecular backbone based on the electron-rich fluorene (and/or thiophene) and electron-deficient benzo[2,1,3]thiadiazole (or benzo[1,2-c:4,5-c']bis[1,2,5]thiadiazole) moieties.

Magnetic self-assembly of gold nanoparticle chains using dipolar core-shell colloids.

The preparation of gold nanoparticle (AuNP) assemblies was conducted by the synthesis and dipolar assembly of ferromagnetic core-shell nanoparticles composed of AuNP cores and cobalt NP shells. Dissolution of metallic Co phases with mineral acids afforded self-assembled AuNP chains and bracelets.

Synthesis and colloidal polymerization of ferromagnetic Au-Co nanoparticles into Au-Co3O4 nanowires.

The preparation of cobalt oxide nanowires with gold nanoparticle (AuNP) inclusions (Au-Co(3)O(4) nanowires) via colloidal polymerization of dipolar core-shell NPs is reported. Polystyrene-coated ferromagnetic NPs composed of a dipolar metallic cobalt shell and a gold NP core (PS-AuCoNPs) were synthesized by thermolysis of octacarbonyldicobalt [Co(2)(CO)(8)] in the presence of AuNP seeds and polymeric ligands. The colloidal polymerization process of these dipolar PS-AuCoNPs comprises dipolar nanoparticle assembly and solution oxidation of preorganized NPs to form interconnected cobalt oxide nanowires via the nanoscale Kirkendall effect, with AuNP inclusions in every repeating unit of the one-dimensional mesostructure.

Ferrocene functional polymer brushes on indium tin oxide via surface-initiated atom transfer radical polymerization.

The synthesis and electrochemical characterization of ferrocene functional polymethacrylate brushes on indium tin oxide (ITO) electrodes using surface-initiated atom transfer radical polymerization (SI-ATRP) is reported. SI-ATRP of ferrocene-containing methacrylate (FcMA) monomers from a phosphonic acid initiator-modified ITO substrate yielded well-defined homo- and block (co)polymer brushes of varying molar mass (4,000 to 37,000 g/mol). Correlation of both electrochemical properties and brush thicknesses confirmed controlled SI-ATRP from modified ITO surfaces.

Colloidal polymerization of polymer-coated ferromagnetic nanoparticles into cobalt oxide nanowires.

The preparation of polystyrene-coated cobalt oxide nanowires is reported via the colloidal polymerization of polymer-coated ferromagnetic cobalt nanoparticles (PS-CoNPs). Using a combination of dipolar nanoparticle assembly and a solution oxidation of preorganized metallic colloids, interconnected nanoparticles of cobalt oxide spanning micrometers in length were prepared. The colloidal polymerization of PS-CoNPs into cobalt oxide (CoO and Co(3)O(4)) nanowires was achieved by bubbling O(2) into PS-CoNP dispersions in 1,2-dichlorobenzene at 175 degrees C.