MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of non-coding RNAs approximately 21-nt in length which play important roles in regulating gene expression in plants. Although many miRNA studies have focused on a few model plants, miRNAs and their target genes remain largely unknown in hot pepper (Capsicum annuum), one of the most important crops cultivated worldwide. We here employed high-throughput sequencing to comprehensively identify small RNAs and their targets in pepper. From these, we identified several novel targets of miRNAs, including the major de novo methylation enzyme involved in RNA-directed DNA methylation in plants. Furthermore, we identified several highly abundant 22-nt miRNA families that target conserved domains in NB-LRRs. We showed that transient co-expression of the miRNA with NB-LRRs, resulted in the attenuation of the hypersenstive responses in Nicotiana benthamiana, suggesting that interaction between miRNA family and disease resistance proteins is likely to serve as a conserved trigger for defense mechanism in Solanaceae. This work provides the first reliable draft of the small RNA transcriptome in pepper that offers an expanded picture of miRNAs in relation to NB-LRR regulation, providing a basis for understanding the functional roles of miRNAs in disease resistance.

최근의 다목적댐 운영은 기존의 홍수조절, 용수공급, 수력발전과 같은 수량뿐만이 아니라 수질, 생태환경 등 다양한 이해관계를 고려하도록 요구받고 있다. 본 연구의 목적은 주암조절지댐의 저온 심층수 방류로 인해 사회적 갈등이 있는 지역을 대상으로 수온을 조사하고, 수온변화 특성을 분석하는 것이다. 본 연구에서는 주암조절지댐, 하류하천, 순천만 지역에 대해 장기간에 걸쳐 수온을 모니터링 하였으며, 3차원 수치모형(EFDC)을 활용하여 방류량과 같은 다양한 외부 인자들을 고려하여 하류하천 및 순천만에서의 수온변화를 비교 분석하였다. 모니터링 및 수치모의 결과 댐의 저온 방류수 영향은 대체적으로 4월～9월 기간에 나타나는 것을 알 수 있었으며, 또한 댐 저온수 방류 영향이 방류시기, 방류수온, 방류량, 기상, 조위 등 다양한 인자에 의해 복잡한 형태로 변화한 것을 알 수 있었다. 본 연구의 결과는 댐의 저온수 방류로 인한 하류하천 및 연안지역 악영향을 최소화하기 위한 댐 운영 개선방안 수립시 기초자료로 활용될 수 있을 것으로 판단된다.

현재 정부는 한국의 게임 산업 분야에 많은 규제를 시행하고 있다. 이에 따라 게임 분야 규 제에 대한 연구도 함께 수행되었는데, 게임 규제의 각 개별적인 특성, 문제점, 한계 등에 대해 서는 연구가 진행되어 왔지만, 게임규제 전반에 대한 사항 및 특성 등에 대해서는 제대로 파악 하지 못하고 있다. 정부 측에서 볼 때 한 분야의 전체적 규제 특성을 판단하는 기준 중 하나는 바로 규제개혁위원회의 등록규제다. 따라서 본 연구에서는 규제개혁위원회의 등록규제 기준에 따라 게임 규제 현황을 살펴보고자 한다. 현재 규제개혁위원회에 등록된 게임 규제는 22개이다. 하지만 원칙적인 규제등록 기준에 의 해 법령을 검토한 결과, 게임 분야에 대해 총 44개, 실질적으로는 60여개의 규제가 시행되고 있 는 것으로 나타났다. 그리고 진입규제의 비중이 영업활동규제보다 더 높았으며, 실질적으로 게 임 과몰입․중독 및 사행성에 대한 규제에 초점을 맞추고 있다. 이와 같은 게임 등록규제 현황 과 실제 게임 규제의 차이는 게임 규제에 대한 정책 및 정부 신뢰에 부정적인 영향을 미칠 수 있다. 게임 부문에 대한 실제 규제내용을 바탕으로, 여타 부문과 비교하여 차별적이지 않은 규 제가 시행될 때, 게임 부문에 대한 정책 및 규제 신뢰가 보다 증진될 수 있을 것이다.

This study investigated possible involvement of photoperiodic regulation in reproductive endocrine system of female olive flounder. To investigate the influence on brain-pituitary axis in endocrine system by regulating photoperiod, compared expression level of Kisspeptin and sbGnRH mRNA in brain and FSH-β, LH-β and GH mRNA in pituitary before and after spawning. Photoperiod was treated natural photoperiod and long photoperiod (15L:9D) conditions from Aug. 2013 to Jun. 2014. Continuous long photoperiod treatment from Aug. (post-spawning phase) was inhibited gonadal development of female olive flounder. In natural photoperiod group, the Kiss2 expression level a significant declined in Mar. (spawning period). And also, FSH-β, LH-β and GH mRNA expression levels were increasing at this period. However, in long photoperiod group, hypothalamic Kiss2, FSH-β, LH-β and GH mRNA expression levels did not show any significant fluctuation. These results suggest that expression of hypothalamic Kiss2, GtH and GH in the pituitary would change in response to photoperiod and their possible involvement of photoperiodic regulation in reproductive endocrine system of the BPG axis.

The purpose of this study is to examine the tendency of certified organic cosmetics market and the certification standards and regulations they are under, compare one of the most commonly used COSMOS-standard AISBL with the Korea Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) organic cosmetic standard regulation. And then examining their differences and any potential issues is to present suggestions to be made as data for certification standard for natural & organic cosmetics in Korea regulation. This contents of study will be used as good research and development to promote the sustainable growth of the natural & organic cosmetic ingredients which have been grown by organic farmers certified. Also certified organic ingredients may help to growth the organic industry. I believe these are actual comparative for application to develop of natural and organic cosmetics in Korea as well the strengthening of the competitiveness of organic cosmetics certified in the world.

규제의 담지자는 주로 정부와 시장으로서, 이 중 자율규제는 정부와 시장의 규제능력과 관련되어 있다. 우선 정부규제는 바람직한 사회질서의 구현을 위해 정부가 시장에 개입하여 기업과 개인의 행위를 제약하는 것을 뜻한다. 정부규제는 규제의 집행에서 비용과 사각지대 그리고 기회주의적 행위유인이 생길 수 있는 문제가 있다. 그리고 시장규제는 문제 해결을 시장에 맡기는 것으로서 시장 내의 행위자가 금전적 손해나 평판의 저하로 인해 장기적으로 생존하기 어렵게 되는 상황을 통해 시장질서에 순응하게 되는 상황을 설명한다. 시장규제에서는 규제 혹은 규범에 어긋나는 상황이 발생한다고 해도 어떤 법적인 제재가 취해지는 것은 아니다 이처럼 정부규제와 시장규제는 나름의 한계를 지니고 있다. 아울러 현대사회의 복잡성이 증대하고 사회 유동성과 이슈 범위가 확대됨으로써 정부와 시장의 본원적 권능이 퇴화되는 측면을 간과할 수 없다. 또한 정부와 시장의 규제 효과도 의심받게 되어 다원적 규제 방안이 요청되고 있다. 이런 면에서 다른 규제 유형으로 주체가 정부가 아닌 피규제 행위자가 되는(대체재 효과) 자율규제를 상정할 수 있다. 자율규제는 일면 시장규제의 연속선상에 있다. 자율규제의 실행은 보통 규제 대상이 되는 업계가 동업자 조합을 결성하고 이를 통해 스스로 지켜야 할 기준을 제정하는 한편 그것의 위반행위를 스스로 점검하는 방법으로 이루어진다. 따라서 자율규제 또한 규제 대상의 활동과 위반 행위를 다루는데 소요되는 비용을 절감하는 장점과 함께, 다른 한편으로 무임승차자와 규제 효과의 문제가 제기될 수 있다.

Osteosarcoma (OS) is one of the most common malignant primary bone tumors and NF-κB appears to play a causative role, but the mechanisms are poorly understood. OS is one of the pleomorphic, highly metastasized and invasive neoplasm which is capable to generate osteoid, osteoclast and osteoblast matrix. Its high incidence has been reported in adolescent and children. Cell signal cascade is the pivotal functional mechanism acquired during the differentiation, proliferation, growth and survival of the cells in neoplasm including OS. The major limitation to the success of chemotherapy in OS is the development of multidrug resistance (MDR). Answers to all such queries might come from the knock-in experiments in which the combined approach of miRNAs with NF-κB pathway is put into use. Abnormal miRNAs can modulate several epigenetical switching as a hallmark of number of diseases via different cell signaling. Studies on miRNAs have opened up the new avenues for both the diagnosis and treatment of cancers including OS. Collectively, through the present study an attempt has been made to establish a new systematic approach for the investigation of microRNAs, biophysiological factors and their target pairs with NF-κB to ameliorate oncogenesis with the “bridge between miRNAs and NF- κB”. The application of NF-κB inhibitors in combination with miRNAs is expected to result in a more efficient killing of the cancer stem cells and a slower or less likely recurrence of cancer.

Prostaglandin (PG) E2 is an important mediator of skin wound healing without excessive scarring and gastric ulcer healing. However, PGE2 has a short lifetime in vivo because it is metabolized rapidly by 15-hydroxyprostaglandin dehydrogenase (15-PGDH). Ethanol extract of Eriobotryae folium (EFEE) elevated intracellular and extracellular PGE2 levels in HaCaT cells and inhibited 15-PGDH (ED50 : 168.4μg/mL) with relatively low cytotoxicity (IC50 : 250.0μg/mL). Real-time PCR analysis showed that mRNA expression of cyclooxygenase (COX)-1 and COX-2 enzymes were increased and prostaglandin transporter (PGT) was decreased in HaCaT cells by EFEE. Moreover, wound healing effect of EFEE (168.4μg/mL) was comparable to that of TGF-β1 (300 pg/mL) as a positive control. These results demonstrate that EFEE may be valuable therapeutic materials for the treatment of PGE2 level dependent diseases.

Cinnamon clownfish, Amphiprion melanopus, typically live as part of a mated adult pair or an adult pair and an immature individual and social ranking in the group controls the sexes of the fish. In general, the female is the larger and dominant individual. If a dominant female dies or is absent, the male partner undergoes a sex change to become a female. This special reproductive characteristic provides a good model for which to study the mechanism of sex change. Sexual development and gonadal maturation in fish are regulated by hormones of the hypothalamus-pituitary-gonad (HPG) axis including gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) and other neurohormones, gonadotropins, and gonadal steroid hormones and peptides. Specially, light is among the most important natural environmental factors that regulate reproduction in fish. Light-emitting diodes (LEDs), which is a new form of lighting technology can be designed to output specific wavelengths such as narrow bandwidth light which is important because it can be tuned to the environmental sensitivity of a target species. In the experiment, the white fluorescent bulb and different LED (red, peak at 630 nm; green, 530 nm) were used. The effects of different illuminations were assessed by measuring the mRNA and protein expressions of HPG axis genes and sex steroid hormone level. For green LED light, significantly higher levels of HPG axis genes expressions, GSI, and plasma sex steroid hormone were obtained, compared to the red LED light spectra. Histological analysis also revealed the presence of vitellogenic oocytes in fish exposed to green LED light. The results indicate that exposure to short wavelength lighting accelerates gonadal maturation and sex change, and is likely to facilitate development of more energy-efficient aquaculture procedures. Also, have investigated that light reaction in marine organism's mechanism using LED lights, and high potential of application of Bio-photonics for the aquaculture.

For management of hazardous waste, the Ministry of Environment regulates fewer items and has fewer test methodsfor toxic chemicals than developed countries. Regulated items should be expanded in order to strengthen the managementof hazardous waste and comply with international trends. For conducting to quantify the cost and value of the expansion,we estimated the amount of toxic waste and evaluated applicability and economic effects of the expansion of regulateditems to the industry. Through a survey of domestic and foreign studies, we reviewed the substances (e.g. F and Ni) thatare regulated as hazardous chemicals and planed a road-map for gradual expansion of regulated items. The analysis oftreatment cost had been focused on the result of leachate and total content analysis of regulated 7 inorganic materials(Hg, Pb, Cd, As, Cu, Cr+6, and CN) and unregulated 8 inorganic metals (F, Ni, Zn, Se, Sb, Ba, Be, V), and also totalcontent analysis of unregulated 4 organic materials (PAHs, PCDD/DFs, HCB, and PCBs) in Korea. With the result ofcontent concentration of unregulated 8 inorganic metals, we could estimate that they were discharged about 4.644millionton/year from industries in Korea. Also, The amount of waste from oil refining, steel, and casting factory was more than50% of total generated waste in Korea.

Abscisic acid (ABA) is a stress hormone that functions in abiotic stress adaptation in plants. Thus many efforts have been made to identify the molecular mechanisms of ABA signal transduction pathways. Recently there were big advances in understanding molecular mechanisms of ABA dependent expression. From the ABA receptors to the transcription factors, signaling components were discovered and the biological networks among the components were identified. In this review, we describe the ABA signaling components and the rice orthologues identified. These show that signaling network systems of ABA are highly conserved in dicot and monocot plants and we are able to manipulate the ABA signaling components to develop the abiotic stress tolerant crops.

LPS로 염증이 유도된 Raw264.7 macrophage에서 대추잎 분획물(Zizyphus jujuba leaf fractions; ZLFs)의 항염증 효과를 살펴 보기위해 세포독성이 나타나지 않은 1, 10, 100 μg/mL 농도 범위에서 염증매개물질인 NO, PGE2, 염증성 cytokine(TNF-α, IL-1β 및 IL-6) 생성 및 COX-2 단백질의 발현을 측정하였다. 그 결과, ZLFs(ZLWF, ZLEF, ZLBF)는 처리 농도 범위에서 효과적으로 NO, PGE2, 염증성 cytokine 생성 및 COX-2 단백질 발현을 억제하였다. 분획 용매에 따른 효과를 살펴보면 ZLWF< ZLBF< ZLEF의 순으로 높은 효과를 나타냈고, 특히 에틸 아세테이트 분획물 ZLEF은 100 μg/mL 처리 농도에서 NO, PGE2, 염증성 cytokine 생성 및 COX-2 단백질 발현 억제 효과가 LPS를 처리하지 않은 음성 대조군보다 우수하거나 비슷하여 본 연구에서 조사된 대추 잎 분획물 중 가장 뛰어난 염증 억제제 후보물질로 확인되었다.

본 연구에서는 충주댐(2750*106 m3) 및 조정지댐(30*106 m3)을 포함한 유역을 대상으로 미래 기후변화가 댐 저수량에 미치는 영향을 분석하기 위해 SWAT (Soil and Water Assessment Tool) 모형을 활용하였다. 3지점의 9개년(2002～2010)동안의 자료를 이용하여 검보정을 실시한 결과 유출량에 대해서는 Nash-Sutcliffe 모델 효율(NSE)이 0.73으로, 두 댐의 저수위에 대해서는 0.86으로 나타났다. 미래 기후변화 시나리오자료는 IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change)에서 제공하는 GCMs (General Circulation Models) 중 HadCM3 모델의 SRES (Special Report on Emission Scenarios)에 의한 B1과 A2 시나리오를 구축하였다. 미래 월별 기온과 강수자료는 과거 30개년(1977～2006, baseline period) 자료는 편의보정(bias-correction) 기법을 이용하여 오차보정 후, Change Factor (CF) method를 이용하여 상세화 하였다. 미래 연평균 기온은 2040s (2031～2050)에 0.9℃, 2080s (2071～2099)에는 4.0℃까지 증가할 것으로 예측되었고, 연평균 강수량은 2040s에 9.6%, 2080s에 20.7% 증가하는 것으로 나타났다. 과거 대비 미래 증발산량은 15.3%까지 증가하고, 토양수분은 최대 2.8% 감소하였다. 과거 9개년 평균 댐 방류스케줄에 따른 미래 댐 연평균 유입량은 가을철을 제외한 대부분 기간에 최대 21.1%까지 증가하는 경향을 보였다. 미래 가을철 댐 유입의 감소로 인해 현재 방류 패턴으로는 연말까지 결국 저수량을 회복하지 못하는 것으로 나타났다. 미래 풍수년과 갈수년에는 댐 저수량의 시간적 변동이 더욱 불안정해지므로 각각 저수량의 상향 및 하향 조정에 주의를 기울여야 한다. 따라서 기후변화 적응을 위한 댐 방류 패턴 조절이 필요하다고 판단된다.

Soluble-NSF attachment protein receptor (SNARE) proteins play a role in vesicle fusion, exocytosis, and intracellular trafficking in neuronal cells as well as in fertilization and embryogenesis. We investigated the expression patterns of two SNARE proteins, SNAP-25 and synaptotagmin VII (SytVII), and their regulation by pregnant mare serum gonadotropin (PMSG) during mouse ovarian follicular development. Ovaries were obtained at 0, 12, 24, 36, and 48 h post-PMSG injection of immature mice. SNAP-25 and SytVII mRNA expression levels increased gradually in a time-dependant manner. However, protein levels revealed different patterns of expression, suggesting different translational regulation following PMSG stimulation. SNAP-25 and SytVII expression was closely associated with thickening of the granulosa cell (GC) layer and follicle morphological changes from a flattened to a cuboidal shape. To explore follicle stimulating hormone receptor (FSHR)-mediated regulation of their expression, GCs from preantral follicles were cultured to examine the effects of FSHR siRNA knockdown. FSHR siRNA abolished upregulation of the SNAREs in both PMSG and FSH-stimulated GCs. This abolished gene expression was rescued by adding dibutyryl cyclic AMP to the cultures. These results suggest that SNAP-25 and SytVII expression is regulated via the FSHR-cAMP pathway during follicular development.

Estrogen sulfotransferase (EST) is a cytosolic enzyme that catalyzes the sulfo-conjugation of estrogens at the 3-hydroxyl position. Sulfated estrogens lose their ability to interact with the estrogen receptor (ER). Previous studies have reported that testicular expression of EST is under the regulation of LH and androgen. In an effort to understand the biological significance of estrogens in the testis, we analyzed the EST gene expression in the developing mouse testis and Leydig cells and its regulation by estrogen receptor alpha (ERα). Male mice at postnatal day (PND) 1, 7, 14, 28, and 56 and ERα flox/flox Cyp17iCre male mice which show deletion of ERα specifically in Leydig cells were used for this study. Testes and Leydig cells isolated from these mice were subjected to quantitative RT-PCR analysis and immunohistochemistry. In addition, 17β-estradiol (E2), ERα-selective agonist PPT, ERβ -selective agonist DPN, and ER antagonist ICI 182,780 were treated in primary adult Leydig cell culture. These cultured cells were subjected to quantitative RT-PCR analysis. In testis, EST mRNA level was excessively low by PND 14 and markedly increased from puberty (PND 28) onward. In the interstitium, EST mRNA was not detected by PND 14 but considerably expressed from PND 28 onward. EST immunoreactivity was moderate in the interstitium by PND 14. Strong EST immunoreactivity was found in the interstitium from PND 28 onward. In ERαflox/flox Cyp17iCre mouse testis and Leydig cells, EST mRNA level was significantly lower than wild type (ERαflox/flox). In primary adult Leydig cell culture, the expression of EST mRNA was increased by E2 and PPT, but was not changed by DPN. The expression of EST in the testis is developmentally regulated. In adult Leydig cells, EST could play an important role in the steroidogenesis by modulating the activity of estrogens. Estrogen as well as LH and androgen may play a role in the regulation of EST expression in Leydig cells via ERα signaling.

Autophagy is a major cellular catabolic pathway and is tightly associated with survival and death of cells. The involvement of autophagy during prolonged survival of blastocysts in the uterus is established and it was assumed that ovarian steroid hormones – estrogen (E2) and progesterone (P4) – play important roles in its regulation. The uterus is a major target organ of E2 and P4. To examine if E2 or P4 modulate autophagy in the mouse uterus in vivo, the following three systems were used. 1) Normal pregnancy model (days 1 to 8); 2) delayed implantation model; 3) ovariectomized (OVX) mice model treated with single steroid hormone. Six-week-old virgin ICR mice were used for pregnancy and OXV. OVX mice received P4 (1 mg/0.1 ml) or E2 (100 ng/0.1 ml) after 12 days of rest. Collected uteri were subjected to Western blotting and immunofluorescence staining using anti-LC3B antibody to monitor autophagy. In pregnant mouse uterus, the autophagic response was downregulated after implantation. In OVX model, either E2 or P4 injection downregulated the autophagic response in the uterus within several hours. To confirm whether hormone-induced downregulation is mediated by classical estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR), receptor antagonists (ICI 182,780 and RU-486) were co-treated. Antagonist-treated uteri showed recovery of autophagic response, suggesting that ER or PR mediates hormonal effects on autophagy. In oder to determine which signaling pathway is involved in autophagic regulation by E2, rapamycin (5 mg/kg), a mTOR inhibitor, and LY294002 (5 mg/kg), a PI3 kinase inhibitor, were used. Rapamycin and LY294002 were injected just before E2 injection to OVX mice. Western blotting was performed by using anti-phospho-mTOR and anti-AKT antibodies. We observed that rapamycin treatment partially antagonized downregulation of autophagic activation by E2, whereas LY294002 treatment did not have any effect. Therefore, downregulation of autophagy by E2 seems to be partially mediated by mTOR pathway. Collectively, this study suggests that ovarian steroid hormones are upstream controllers of autophagic response in the mouse uterus.

The metalloid arsenic (As) and the hevy metal cadmium (Cd) are ubiquitously found at low concentrations in the earth, while high concentrations of the both elements in soil and crop are severe dangerous to human health. We have tried to retrieve RING E3 ligase gene, which is believed to regulate substrate proteins in As or Cd uptake via ubiquitin 26S proteasome pathway, related to inhibit metal ion transport system. A total of 48 rice RING E3 ligases were randomly selected and then conducted semi-quantitative RT-PCR for their expression patterns as exposed to As and Cd treatments. We discovered one gene, Oryza sativa heavy metal induced RING E3 ligase 1 (OsHIR1) that was significantly up-regulated against both treatments. A total of 31 positive interaction clones with OsHIR1 were screened depending on their strong α-galactosidase activity via yeast-two hybrid screen. Bimolecular fluorescence complementation analysis evidenced that the OsHIR1 protein was clearly interacted with each of six partner protein including aquaporin tonoplast intrinsic protein 4;1 (OsTIP4;1) in the plasma membrane. Protein degradation assay showed that OsHIR1 strongly degraded the protein level of OsTIP4;1 via ubiquitin 26S proteasome system. Heterogeneous overexpression of OsHIR1 in Arabidopsis showed As- and Cd-insensitive phenotype. In addition, the transgenic plant showed low levels of As and Cd accumulation than the control plant in leaf and root. Here, we report the novel finding that OsHIR1 E3 ligase positively regulates OsTIP4;1 related to As and Cd uptake.