<Emphasis Type="Italic">Synechocystis</Emphasis> sp. PCC 6803 CruA (sll0147) encodes lycopene cyclase and requires bound chlorophyll <Emphasis Type="Italic">a</Emphasis> for activity

The genome of the model cyanobacterium, Synechococcus sp. PCC 7002, encodes two paralogs of CruA-type lycopene cyclases, SynPCC7002_A2153 and SynPCC7002_A0043, which are denoted cruA and cruP, respectively. Unlike the wild-type strain, a cruA deletion mutant is light-sensitive, grows slowly, and accumulates lycopene, γ-carotene, and 1-OH-lycopene; however, this strain still produces β-carotene and other carotenoids derived from it. Expression of cruA from Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 (cruA ₆₈₀₃) in Escherichia coli strains that synthesize either lycopene or γ-carotene did not lead to the synthesis of either γ-carotene or β-carotene, respectively. However, expression of this orthologous cruA ₆₈₀₃ gene (sll0147) in the Synechococcus sp. PCC 7002 cruA deletion mutant produced strains with phenotypic properties identical to the wild type. CruA₆₈₀₃ was purified from Synechococcus sp. PCC 7002 by affinity chromatography, and the purified protein was pale yellow-green due to the presence of bound chlorophyll (Chl) a and β-carotene. Native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of the partly purified protein in the presence of lithium dodecylsulfate at 4 °C confirmed that the protein was yellow-green in color. When purified CruA₆₈₀₃ was assayed in vitro with either lycopene or γ-carotene as substrate, β-carotene was synthesized. These data establish that CruA₆₈₀₃ is a lycopene cyclase and that it requires a bound Chl a molecule for activity. Possible binding sites for Chl a and the potential regulatory role of the Chl a in coordination of Chl and carotenoid biosynthesis are discussed.     

Knockout of <Emphasis Type="Italic">CTNNB1</Emphasis> by CRISPR-Cas9 technology inhibits cell proliferation through the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway

Objective

To study the effects of CTNNB1 gene knockout by CRISPR-Cas9 technology on cell adhesion, proliferation, apoptosis, and Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.

Results

CTNNB1 gene of HEK 293T cells was knocked out by CRISPR-Cas9. This was confirmed by sequencing and western blotting. Methylthiazolyl-tetrazolium bromide assays indicated that deletion of β-catenin significantly weakened adhesion ability and inhibited proliferation rate (P < 0.01) of HEK 293T cells. Nevertheless, deletion of β-catenin did not affect apoptosis of HEK 293T cells, which was analyzed by flow cytometry with Annexin V-fluorescein isothiocyanate/propidium iodide double staining. In addition, expression level of GSK-3β, CCND1, and CCNE1 detected by qPCR and expression level of N-Cadherin and cyclin D1 detected by western blotting were significantly decreased (P < 0.01) while expression of γ-catenin detected by western blotting was significantly increased (P < 0.001).

Conclusions

Knockout of CTNNB1 disturbed Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway and significantly inhibited adhesion and proliferation of HEK 293T cells.

     

Volatile Organic Compound Analysis of Host and Non-Host Poplars for <Emphasis Type="Italic">Trypophloeus klimeschi</Emphasis> (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Ipinae)

Trypophloeus klimeschi Eggers was first discovered in Xinjiang Province and had strong selection specificity for Populus alba var. pyramidalis Bunge. There was an outbreak of this beetle in the northwest shelter forest of China, resulting in significant economic losses and loss of ecological benefits. Based on a prior long-term field investigation, T. klimeschi had a different extent of injuries for different ages of P. alba var. pyramidalis and other Populus in the same area were not selected by T. klimeschi. To further explore the specificity volatile compounds, this study involved selecting host and non-host trees to analyse the volatile chemical profile of host and non-host poplars of T. klimeschi. The main volatile compounds of the host poplar P. alba var. pyramidalis for different physiological statuses and those of three other non-host poplars (P. alba L., P. tomentosa Carr., and P. dakuanensis Hsu) were analysed through solid-phase micro extraction (SPME) coupled with thermal desorption and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The major compound groups were aldehydes, esters, alcohols, ketones, phenols, terpenes and alkanes. Comparative analysis of the changes in the different physiological stages of P. alba var. pyramidalis and other non-host Populus volatile substances was conducted, and the results showed that 2-hydroxy-benzaldehyde, nonanal, decanal, 2-methyl-butanal, (Z)-3-hexen-1-ol benzoate, methyl benzoate, methyl salicylate, geraniol and salicyl alcohol might act as attractants for T. klimeschi, and 2-hexenal, hexanal, 2-cyclohexen-1-one, caryophyllene, eugenol, benzyl alcohol, and eucalyptol could be deterrents for T. klimeschi. These experiments may lead to the optimisation of a synthetic lure that may be used to detect and monitor T. klimeschi.     

Flechtensystematische Studien IV. Die GattungGyalidea Lett

Im Artikel wird die ursprüngliche Gattungsdiagnose derGyalidea Lett. um die Merkmale der Pilzkomponente ergänzt. Die angenommenen verwandtschaftlichen Beziehungen derGyalidea zu der FamilieAsterothyriaceae werden diskutiert. Alle bisher festgestellten Arten mit Übersichten der revidierten Proben werden kurz beschrieben. Neue Taxa und Kombinationen:Gyalidea dodgei spec. n.,G. epiphylla spec. n.,G. mayaguezensis spec. n.,G. portoricensis spec. n.,G. fritzei (Stein) comb. n.,G. fritzei var.rivularis (Eitn.) comb. n.,G. hyalinescens (Nyl.) comb. n.,G. lecideopsis var.convarians (Nyl.) comb. n.,G. lecideopsis var.stigmatoides (Nyl.) comb. n.,G. mexicana (B. de Lesd.) comb. n. undG. subscutellaris (Vězda) comb. n.     

Taxonomy of Senecio multilobatus and its allies

A revision is presented for ten closely related species of western North America. The assemblage approximates the sectionsBolanderiani Greenman andLobati Rydb. Two new infraspecific combinations are made:Senecio bolanderi Gray var.harfordii (Greenman) T. M. Barkley, andS. eurycephalus Torr. & Gray ex Gray var.Iewisrosei (J. T. Howell) T. M. Barkley.     

Anaerobic biotransformation of hexachlorocyclohexane isomers by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Dehalococcoides</Emphasis> species and an enrichment culture

The biotransformation of hexachlorocyclohexane isomers (HCH) by two Dehalococcoides mccartyi strains (195 and BTF08) and an enrichment culture was investigated and compared to conversion by the obligate anaerobic strain Clostridium pasteurianum strain DSMZ 525. The D. mccartyi strains preferentially transformed γ-HCH over α-HCH and δ-HCH isomers while β-HCH biotransformation was not significant. In case of the enrichment culture, γ-HCH was preferentially transformed over the δ-HCH, β-HCH and α-HCH isomers. Major observed metabolites in both cases were tetrachlorocyclohexene and as end products monochlorobenzene (MCB) and benzene. Dechlorination of the γ-HCH isomer was linked to an increase in cell numbers for strain 195. γ-HCH transformation was linked to considerable carbon stable isotope fractionation with the enrichment factor ε_c?=???5.5?±?0.8‰ for D. mccartyi strain 195, ε_c?=???3.1?±?0.4‰ for the enrichment culture and ε_c?=???4.1?±?0.6‰ for co-metabolic transformation by C. pasteurianum.     

Genetic marking of glume color in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Triticum spelta</Emphasis> L. var. <Emphasis Type="Italic">caeruleum</Emphasis> using gliadins

Using gliadins as genetic markers, Triticum spelta L. var. caeruleum accessions were analyzed to identify genetic control of the dark color of glumes. The research material was F₂ and BC₁ plants from crosses between spelt accessions and white-glumed common wheat varieties. The segregation for glume color fitted the monogenic control of the trait. The electrophoretic analysis of gliadins in grains from the hybrid plants has shown that the Gli-Alj* allele in the T. spelta var. caeruleum accessions is linked to the allele for the dark (black) color of glumes at the Rg-A1 locus.     

Seed protein fraction electrophoresis in peanut (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Arachis hypogaea</Emphasis> L.) accessions and wild species

Total seed storage proteins were studied in 50 accessions of A. hypogaea (11 A. hypogaea ssp. hypogaea var hypogaea, 13 A. hypogaea ssp. hypogaea var hirsuta, 11 A. hypogaea ssp. fastigiata var fastigiata and 15 A. hypogaea ssp. fastigiata var. vulgaris accessions) in SDS PAGE. These accessions were also analysed for albumin and globulin seed protein fractions. Among the six seed protein markers presently used, it was found that globulin fraction showed maximum diversity (77.2%) in A. hypogaea accessions followed by albumin (52.3%), denatured total soluble protein fraction in embryo (33.3%) and cotyledon (28.5%). The cluster analysis based on combined data of cotyledons, embryos, albumins and globulins seed protein fractions demarcated the accessions of two subspecies hypogaea and fastigiata into two separate clusters supported by 51% bootstrap value, with few exceptions, suggesting the genotypes to be moderately diverse. Native and denatured total soluble seed storage proteins were also electrophoretically analysed in 27 wild Arachis species belonging to six sections of the genus. Cluster analysis using different methods were performed for different seed proteins data alone and also in combination. Section Caulorrhizae (C genome) and Triseminatae (T genome) formed one, distantly related group to A. hypogaea and other section Arachis species in the dendrogram based on denatured seed storage proteins data. The present analysis has maintained that the section Arachis species belong to primary and secondary genepools and, sections Procumbenetes and Erectoides belong to tertiary gene pools.     

Comparison of Alleles at <Emphasis Type="Italic">Gli-2</Emphasis> Loci of Common Wheat by Means of Two-Dimensional Electrophoresis of Gliadin

Electrophoretic mobility (EM) and molecular weight (MW) of some allelic variants of α- and β-gliadins contrlled by Gli-2 loci were compared by means of two-dimensional (APAGE × SDS) electrophoresis. Comparison of α-gliadins of the alleles Gli-A2b and Gli-A2p, of β-gliadins of the Gli-B2b and Gli-B2c, and of β-gliadins of the Gli-D2b, Gli-D2c, Gli-D2j, and Gli-D2r indicated that a gliadin with lower EM had, as a rule, bigger MW which is known to depend on the length of the polyglutamine domain of gliadin of α-type. However, allelic variants of the α-gliadin encoded by Gli-D2b and Gli-D2e differ in EM but not in apparent MW. It might be caused by a substitution of some charged/uncharged aminoacids in the polypeptide of gliadin. Allele Gli-B2o which is very frequent in up-to-date common wheat germplasm originated probably by means of unequal crossingover. Some alleles at Gli-A2 is found to control completely different blocks of gliadins and therefore might come to common wheat from different genotypes of the polymorphic diploid donor of the A genome. The results indicate that the reason of the known more vast polymorphism of gliadins controlled by Gli-2 loci as compared with Gli-1 loci is the considerable difference of the structure, first, of Gli-1 and Gli-2 loci (Gli-2 loci have more expressed genes per locus) and, second, of genes encoding gliadins of α- and γ-types (α-gliadins are shown to contain a long polyglutamine sequences highly variable in their length).     

Comparison of alleles at the <Emphasis Type="Italic">Gli-1</Emphasis> loci of common wheat by means of two-dimensional electrophoresis of gliadin and RFLP analysis

Allelic variants of the Gli-1 locus is known to control groups (blocks) of gliadin polypeptides (gliadins). Some allelic variants of blocks that differ in the electrophoretic (acid gel) mobility (EM) of only one gliadin of the block were compared using two-dimensional electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and the RFLP procedure. It was found that, in these pairs of similar alleles (Gli-B1f, Gli-B1s, and Gli-D1a as compared with Gli-B1e, Gli-B1n, and Gli-D1c, respectively), faster γ-gliadin had smaller molecular weight (MW). Alleles at the Gli-A1 locus (Gli-A1j, Gli-A1i, Gli-A1a, Gli-A1k, and Gli-A1f) differ in the EM of the γ-gliadin so that Gli-A1j controls the slowest γ-gliadin and Gli-A1f controls the fastest one. We found that, in this order of alleles, faster γ-gliadin always had smaller MW. It was suggested that similar alleles might arise from one another by spontaneous mutations changing the number of repeating sequences or length of the polyglutamine domain present in the γ-gliadin gene thereby influencing MW and EM of encoding polypeptide. Other mechanisms of the mutational appearance of new alleles were found earlier by comparison of allele pairs: Gli-D1a and Gli-D1k (gene silencing) and Gli-D1b and Gli-D1d (gene amplification). We discovered contrasting families of alleles at the Gli-B1 and at the Gli-D1 loci and also two variants of apparently the same allele Gli-D1a that differed in the number of encoded ω-gliadins. Families of alleles at one locus of T. aestivum might inherit from different genotypes of corresponding diploid donor, as we suggested earlier.     

Expression analysis on mycoparasitism related genes during antagonism of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Trichoderma</Emphasis> with <Emphasis Type="Italic">Colletotrichum falcatum</Emphasis> causing red rot in sugarcane

Present study was aimed to select a suitable Trichoderma isolate as candidate antagonist based on its efficacy in producing cell wall degrading enzymes (CWDEs), its mycoparasitism activity and expression of related genes against the red rot pathogen caused by Colletotrichum falcatum in sugarcane. For which, six different isolates of Trichoderma selected from our earlier studies (T. harzianum, T. asperullum) were evaluated based on their capability in releasing cell wall degrading enzymes individually and during antagonism with C. falcatum in dual plate. Amongst T. harzianum (T20) exhibited the greatest mycoparasitic potential against the C. falcatum, by producing higher concentration of  CWDEs viz., chitinase and β-1, 3-glucanase, slightly lower amounts of cellulase and protease with significant reduction in polygalacturonase produced by pathogen. Further microscopic observation on interaction of C. falcatum with the selected isolate of T. harzianum (T20) exhibited the mycoparasitic activity of antagonist over pathogen in dual culture and inhibition of C. falcatum pathogenesis in detached sugarcane leaves. In addition, expression pattern of eight genes coding various enzymes involved in mycoparasitism by T. harzianum over C. falcatum were analyzed using qRT-PCR in vitro and on sugarcane leaves. In in vitro interactions, five genes of  cell wall degrading enzymes viz., chitinase (chit33), endochitinase (endo42), β-1, 3-glucanase (glu), exochitinase 1 (exc1), exochitinase 2 (exc2), were upregulated during and after contact as compared to before contact, while three genes related with proteases such as alkaline proteinase (prb1), trypsin-like protease (Pra1), subtilin-like serine protease (ssp), genes were upregulated during the contact with C. falcatum and slightly down regulated after contact. In detached leaves, seven genes were potentially upregulated except subtilin-like serine protease, which was down regulated during interaction of C. falcatum and T. harzianum as compared to T. harzianum inoculation alone. All these biochemical and molecular results confirm the efficacy of T. harzianum (T20) against C. falcatum and justify the right selection of candidate antagonist for our further studies on identification of antifungal genes/proteins against C. falcatum in sugarcane.     

Extrafloral nectaries of four varieties of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Chamaecrista ramosa</Emphasis> (Vogel) H.S.Irwin &amp; Barneby (Fabaceae): anatomy,chemical nature,mechanisms of nectar secretion,and elimination

Considering the importance of extrafloral nectaries (EFNs) in Fabaceae, the objectives of this research were to analyze (1) the anatomical and histochemical characteristics of the EFNs of Chamaecrista ramosa var. ramosa, C. ramosa var. curvifoliola, C. ramosa var. parvifoliola, and C. ramosa var. lucida and (2) the ultrastructure of the EFNs of C. ramosa var. ramosa. Standard techniques in plant anatomy and transmission electron microscopy were used. The anatomical analyses confirmed the characteristics described for extrafloral nectaries, evidencing three well-defined regions: epidermis, nectariferous, and subnectariferous parenchymas. Carbohydrates, proteins, pectins/mucilages, and lipids were detected by histochemical analyzes in all varieties. The ultrastructure of the EFNs of C. ramosa var. ramosa allowed the observation of microchannels at the external periclinal cell walls of the epidermis covering the secretory region. The nectariferous and subnectariferous parenchyma cells have periplasmic spaces, large plastids containing starch grains and plastoglobules, mitochondria, developed endoplasmic reticulum, large vacuoles with electron-dense contents, and membrane residues may be associated with the vacuole, suggesting the occurrence of autophagic processes. The anatomical, histochemical, and ultrastructural patterns revealed characteristics that confirm the glands of C. ramosa as extrafloral nectaries and suggest the eccrine mechanism of secretion.     

Genetic relationship and biological status of the industrially important yeast <Emphasis Type="Italic">Saccharomyces eubayanus</Emphasis> Sampaio et al.

The genomes of the recently discovered yeast Saccharomyces eubayanus and traditional S. cerevisiae are known to be found in the yeast S. pastorianus (syn. S. carlsbergensis), which are essential for brewing. The cryotolerant yeast S. bayanus var. uvarum is of great importance for production of some wines. Based on ascospore viability and meiotic recombination of the control parental markers in hybrids, we have shown that there is no complete interspecies post-zygotic isolation between the yeasts S. eubayanus, S. bayanus var. bayanus and S. bayanus var. uvarum. The genetic data presented indicate that all of the three taxa belong to the same species.     

New family of pectinase genes <Emphasis Type="Italic">PGU1</Emphasis>b–<Emphasis Type="Italic">PGU3b</Emphasis> of the pectinolytic yeast <Emphasis Type="Italic">Saccharomyces bayanus</Emphasis> var. <Emphasis Type="Italic">uvarum</Emphasis>

Using yeast genome databases and literature data, we have conducted a phylogenetic analysis of pectinase PGU genes from Saccharomyces strains assigned to the biological species S. arboricola, S. bayanus (var. uvarum), S. cariocanus, S. cerevisiae, S. kudriavzevii, S. mikatae, S. paradoxus, and hybrid taxon S. pastorianus (syn. S. carlsbergensis). Single PGU genes were observed in all Saccharomyces species, except S. bayanus. The superfamily of divergent PGU genes has been documented in S. bayanus var. uvarum for the first time. Chromosomal localization of new PGU1b, PGU2b, and PGU3b genes in the yeast S. bayanus var. uvarum has been determined by molecular karyotyping and Southern hybridization.     

Molecular phylogeny of pectinase genes <Emphasis Type="Italic">PGU</Emphasis> in the yeast genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Saccharomyces</Emphasis>

Using yeast genome databases and literature data, phylogenetic analysis of pectinase PGU genes from 112 Saccharomyces strains assigned to the biological species S. arboricola, S. bayanus (var. uvarum), S. cariocanus, S. cerevisiae, S. kudriavzevii, S. mikatae, S. paradoxus, and the hybrid taxon S. pastorianus (syn. S. carlsbergensis) was carried out. A superfamily of divergent PGU genes was found. Natural interspecies transfer of the PGU gene both from S. cerevisiae to S. bayanus and from S. paradoxus to S. cerevisiae may, however, occur. Within the Saccharomyces species, identity of the PGU nucleotide sequences was 98.8–100% for S. cerevisiae, 86.1–95.7% for S. bayanus (var. uvarum), 94–98.3% for S. kudriavzevii, and 96.8–100% for S. paradoxus/S. cariocanus. For the first time, a family of polymeric PGU1b, PGU2b, PGU3b and PGU4b genes is documented for the yeast S. bayanus var. uvarum, a variety important for winemaking.     

Diatoms (Bacillariophyceae) associated with free-drifting Antarctic icebergs: taxonomy and distribution

Free-drifting Antarctic icebergs can alter the phytoplankton in surrounding waters. In addition, diatom mats live attached to the submerged walls of the icebergs. In this study we describe a diverse diatom community associated with these mats and an atypical planktonic community in waters affected by icebergs. Samples were collected in the winter of 2008 and fall of 2009 from Antarctic icebergs and their adjacent waters, utilizing a remote operated vehicle and plankton nets, respectively, and subsequently analyzed using light and electron microscopy. Thalassioneis signyensis, dominant species growing on the icebergs’ flanks, provided substrate for other diatoms, mainly Synedropsis lata var. angustata, Synedropsis recta, Fragilaria cf. islandica var. adeliae, Attheya gaussii, Navicula cf. perminuta, Amphora sp. and Nitzschia spp. New morphological characteristics are given for S. lata var. angustata, S. recta and A. gaussii. We report also Biddulphia alternans and Coscinodiscus concinnus for the first time in Antarctic waters. Similar to sea ice algae, the term sympagic is used to describe the habitat of these diatom communities. A particular planktonic community is also found close to icebergs, including diatoms known to have a benthic, epiphytic, sympagic or freshwater habitat: Amphora sp., B. alternans, Cocconeis spp., Delphineis minutissima, Licmophora gracilis, Luticola cf. australomutica, Opephora sp., Pinnularia spp., Plagiogramma sp., Psammodictyon panduriforme var. minor, Pseudogomphonema kamtschaticum, Rhaphoneis amphiceros, S. recta and T. signyensis. Our results support the hypothesis that species associated with icebergs exchange freely with plankton, ice shelves and sea ice, suggesting that icebergs can act as physical agents to transport and distribute organisms in between these habitats.     

Allelopathic Potential of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Koelreuteria bipinnata</Emphasis> var. <Emphasis Type="Italic">integrifoliola</Emphasis> on Germination of Three Turf Grasses

Allelopathy is very important for the scientific disposition of garden plants. To understand the allelopathic potential of Koelreuteria bipinnata Franch. var. integrifoliola, the germination of Agrostis tenuis Sibth., Festuca arundinacea Schreb. and Lolium perenne L. were determined under laboratory conditions. The results showed that root, stem and leaf aqueous extracts of K. bipinnata var. integrifoliola had allelopathic effects on all three turf grasses, and the allelopathic activity varied according to extract concentrations, test species, and extract sources. Lower extract concentrations did not affect or promoted the germination and initial seedling growth of turf grasses, but the highest concentrations almost had inhibitory effect. The order of allelopathic potentials of the three organs on germination of these receptors was root < stem < leaf. And at the highest concentration of leaf extract, the most strongly inhibition was found in A. tenuis, followed by F. arundinaces and then L. perenne. In addition, according to gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) analysis, the allelopathic potential compounds and their abundance in root, stem and leaf were obviously different. Therefore, the allelopathic compounds may responsible for allelopathy of K. bipinnata var. integrifoliola. These findings suggested that more attention should be paid to the leaf of K. bipinnata var. integrifoliola for the relative higher allelopathic effects.     

Synthesis and Protective Activity of β-Glycosides of <Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-Acetylmuramyl-<Emphasis Type="Italic">L</Emphasis>-Alanyl-<Emphasis Type="Italic">D</Emphasis>-Isoglutamine with Alkylalicyclic and Arylaliphatic Aglycons

The following glycosides of N-acetylmuramyl-L-alanyl-D-isoglutamine (MDP) were synthesized: β-4-tert-butylcyclohexyl MDP, β-2-(adamant-1-yl)ethyl MDP, β-2,2-diphenylethyl MDP, and β-2-(p-biphenyl) ethyl MDP. The starting peracetylated β-N-acetylglucosaminides were prepared by the oxazoline method. They were converted into 4,6-O-isopropylidene-N-acetyl-D-muramic acids, which were coupled with L-Ala-D-Glu(NH₂)OBn. The target glycopeptides were obtained after their deprotection. The stimulation of the anti-infection resistance of mice against Staphylococcus aureus by the MDP glycosides was studied.     

Enhancement of syringin contents in soybean seeds with seed-specific expression of a chimeric <Emphasis Type="Italic">UGT72E3</Emphasis>/<Emphasis Type="Italic">E2</Emphasis> gene

Syringin, sinapyl alcohol 4-O-glucoside, is well known as a plant-derived bioactive monolignol glucoside. In Arabidopsis, recombinant chimeric protein UGT72E3/2 has been previously reported to lead to significantly higher syringin production than the parental enzymes UGT72E2 and UGT72E3. To enhance syringin content in Korean soybean (Glycine max L. ‘Kwangan’), we cloned the UGT72E3/2 gene under the control of the β-conglycinin or CaMV-35S promoter to generate β-UGT72E3/2 and 35S-UGT72E3/2 constructs, respectively, and then transformed them into soybean to obtain transgenic plants using the modified half-seed method. Real-time semi-quantitative PCR (RT-PCR) analysis showed that the UGT72E3/2 gene was expressed in the leaves of the β-UGT72E3/2 and 35S-UGT72E3/2 transgenic lines. HPLC analysis of the seeds and mature tissues of the T2 generation plants revealed that the β-UGT72E3/2 transgenic seeds accumulated 0.15 µmol/g DW of total syringin and 0.29 µmol/g DW of total coniferin, whereas coniferin and syringin were not detected in non-transgenic seeds. Moreover, coniferin and syringin also accumulated at high levels in non-seed tissues, particularly the leaves of β-UGT72E3/2 transgenic lines. In contrast, 35S-UGT72E3/2 lines showed no differences in the contents of coniferin and syringin between transgenic and non-transgenic soybean plants. Thus, the seed-specific β-conglycinin promoter might be an effective tool to apply to the nutritional enhancement of soybean crops through increased syringin production.