Doublesex and mab-3 related transcription factor (dmrt) play crucial roles in sex determination and sex differentiation in vertebrates and invertebrates. Although dmrt genes have been identified in vertebrates, little is known about aquatic invertebrates. In this study, two dmrt genes, namely, Dc_dmrt93B and Dc_dmrt99B, were identified from brackish water flea, Diaphanosoma celebensis. Transcriptional changes were observed in the dmrt genes when the flea was exposed to bisphenol (BP), an endocrine disruptor. Sequence and phylogenetic analyses showed that both dmrt genes contained two conserved domains, namely, DM and DMA, closely clustered with those of Daphnia spp. Additionally, a significant increase in the Dc_dmrt99B mRNA expression level was observed upon exposure to intermediate concentrations of BP (bisphenol A>bisphenol S=bisphenol F, p<0.05), while the expression of Dc_dmrt93B mRNA was slightly modulated. These findings imply that the two dmrt genes may be involved in sex differentiation of D. celebensis. Furthermore, it was found that the ability of BP to modulate dmrt genes could affect development and reproduction. This study provides a basis for understanding the function of the dmrt genes and the molecular mode of action of BP in small crustaceans.

Translational control is a strategy for various viruses to manipulate their hosts to suppress any acute antiviral activity. Some cys-motif genes encoded in polydnaviruses or teratocytes act as host translation inhibitory factor (HTIF) to defend the host antiviral activity. A novel cys-motif gene, TSP13, was encoded in the genome of an endoparasitoid wasp, Cotesia plutellae. TSP13 consists of 129 amino acid residues with a predicted molecular weight of 13.987 kDa and pI value at 7.928. Genomic DNA region encoding open reading frame is interrupted with three introns. TSP13 was expressed in Plutella xylostella larvae parasitized by C. plutellae. C. plutellae bracovirus (CpBV) was purified and injected to nonparasitized P. xylostella. In the virus-injected P. xylostella, TSP13 was shown to be expressed by RT-PCR analysis. Thus, TSP13 was turned out to be encoded in the proviral CpBV genome. TSP13 was cloned into a eukaryotic expression vector, which was then used to infect Sf9 cells to transiently express TSP13. The synthesized TSP13 was detected in the culture broth. Purified TSP13 significantly inhibited cellular immune responses. Furthermore, TSP13 entered the target cells and was localized in the cytosol. This study reports a novel cys-motif gene, which is encoded in CpBV genome localized on chromosome(s) of C. plutellae and replicated to be encapsidated in the episomal viral particles during parasitization.

We identified cdf based on screening of the Arabidopsis cDNA library for functional suppressors of the AtBI-1 (a gene described to suppress the cell death induced by Bax gene expression in yeast). The cdf was located on Chr. V and was composed of 5 exons and 4 introns. It encodes a protein of 258 amino acid residues with a molecular weight of 28.8 kDa. The protein has 3 transmembrane domains in the C-terminal region. The cdf has one homologue, named cdf2, which was found in Arabidopsis. Like cdf, cdf2 also induced growth defect in yeast. The effect of the cell growth defect factor was somewhat lower than Bax. cdf could arrest the growth of yeast. Its localization to the nucleus was essential for the suppression of yeast cell proliferation. Morphological abnormality of intracellular network, which is a hallmark of AtBI-1, was attenuated by expression of cdf.

고령 인구의 증가와 고도의 산업화에 따른 환경 질환 및 생활 습관성 질병의 증가, 산업 재해 및 교통 재해의 꾸준한 증가에 따라 지속적인 의료산업 시장의 확대가 예상되고 있다. 그에 따라 인공 스텐트, 촬영장비, 인공 관절 등 대규모 개발 프로젝트가 국내 많은 업체에서 이루어지고 있다. 대규모 개발 프로젝트가 수행됨에 따라 프로젝트에 내재된 위험요인들이 기하급수적으로 증가하게 되고 그러한 위험요인을 사전에 파악하고 대응하지 못함으로 인하여 많은 프로젝트 들이 중지되거나 실패로 끝나는 사례들이 실제로 많이 발생하고 있다. 이러한 의료기기 개발 프 로젝트의 실패율을 줄일 수 있는 한 가지 방법은 프로젝트 이해 당사자들이 직면하여 있는 주요 위험 요인들을 정의하여 인식하고, 일정한 허용 한계 내에서 적절히 관리하는 것이다. 본 연구는 국내 의료기기 개발 프로젝트의 성패의 열쇠를 쥐고 있는 위험요소에 관한 연구로서 PMBOK의 위험 관리의 정의를 명확히 하고, 기존 문헌을 통하여 프로젝트에 영향을 미치는 위험요소에 대하여 파악하고 의료기기 개발 프로젝트에 영향을 미치는 위험요소를 확인하고 그 우선순위를 파 악하여 프로젝트 전 단계에 걸쳐 파악된 위험요소를 실제 개발에 적용하여 위험으로 인한 프로젝트의 실패 확률을 줄이는 데에 그 목적이 있다.

Blood feeding tightly regulates the reproductive cycles in ticks. Vitellogenesis and nutritional signaling are a key event in the tick reproductive cycle. Here we report the identification of a Haemaphysalis longicornis GATA factor, (HlGATA), which is synthesized after a blood meal and acts as a transcriptional activator of vitellogenin (Vg). HlGATA shares structural similarity with other GATA factors of invertebrates and vertebrates. Tick GATA mRNA accumulated in the fat body and midgut prior to blood feeding. However, translation of GATA was activated by blood feeding because the GATA protein increased dramatically in engorged females. RNA interference (RNAi)-mediated knock down of GATA transcript resulted in a significant inhibition of Vg expression and effectively disrupts egg development after blood meal in engorged tick. In addition, HlGATA translation was inhibited by RNAi-mediated knock down of S6 kinase. These experiments have revealed that the GATA factor, which is the specific transcriptional activator of Vg gene, represents important molecule for tick reproduction.

Coal-fired power plants emit various Particulate Matter(PM) at coal storage pile and ash landfill as well as the stack, and affect the surrounding environment. Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy and Energy Dispersive X-ray analyzer(FE-SEM/EDX) were used to develop identification factor and the physico-chemical analysis of PM emitted from a power plant. In this study, three samples of pulverized coal, bottom ash, and fly ash were analyzed. The pulverized coal was spherical particles in shape and the chemical composition of C-O-Si-Al and C/Si and C/Al ratios were 200~300 on average. The bottom ash was spherical or non-spherical particles in shape, chemical composition was O-C-Si-Al-Fe-Ca and C/Si and C/Al ratios were 4.3±4.6 and 8.8±10.0. The fly ash was spherical particles in shape, chemical composition was O-Si-Ai-C-Fe-Ca and C/Si and C/Al ratios were 0.5±0.2 and 0.8±0.5.

Spatial- and temporal-specific expression patterns are primarily regulated at the transcriptional level by the promoter. Therefore, it is important to determine the binding motifs of transcription factors to understand the networks associated with embryogenesis. Here, we used a protein-binding microarray (PBM) to determine the binding motif of OsSMF1, which is a basic leucine zipper transcription factor that is involved in the regulation of rice seed maturation. OsSMF1 (previously called RISBZ1) is known to interact with GCN4 motifs (TGA(G/C)TCA) to regulate seed storage proteins (SSPs). In addition, OsSMF1 (also known as OsbZIP58) functions as a key regulator of starch synthesis in the rice seed. Quadruple 9-mer-based PBM (Q9-PBM) and electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) experiments revealed that OsSMF1 binds to the ACGT (CCACGT(C/G)), GCN4 (TGA(G/C)TCA), and GCN4-like (GGATGAC) motifs with Kd values of 0.3353 μM, 0.6458 μM, and 1.117 μM, respectively. We also identified 60 putative OsSMF1 target genes using a combination of data from expression microarrays and RiceArrayNet (RAN) analysis. Of these OsSMF1 target genes, 20, 22, and 17 genes contained ACGT, GCN4, and GCN4-like motifs within the 2-kb promoter region, respectively. In addition to known target genes, we also identified 35 potential OsSMF1 target genes that have not been previously described in immature seeds. We also confirmed that OsSMF1 directly regulates Os03g0168500 (thioredoxin-related protein), RPBF, NAC6, and two hypothetical proteins (Os12g0621600 and Os11g0582400) in vivo. This study suggests that OsSMF1 functions in a wide range of seed development processes with specific binding affinities for three DNA binding motifs

Receptor mediated signal carriers play a critical role in regulation of plant defense and development. Rapid Alkalization Factor (RALF) is an important signaling family which has a role in plant growth and development. However, only few RALF polypeptides have been identified till date, mainly because of enormous efforts required for their isolation or identify their gene through mutational analysis. In this study, an extensive database search yield 39, 43, 34 and 23 potential RALF genes in Arabidopsis, rice, corn and soybeans, respectively. RALF genes are highly conserved across the plant species. A comprehensive analysis including the chromosomal location, gene structure, subcellular location, conserved motif, protein structure and promoter analysis was performed. RALF genes from four plants under study were divided in 7 groups based on phylogenetic analysis. In silico expression analysis of these genes, using microarray and EST data, reveled that these genes exhibit a variety of expression pattern. Furthermore, RALF genes showed distinct expression pattern under nitricoxide (NO) stress in Arabidopsis. This suggests a role of RALF genes in plant defense regulation. Our comprehensive analysis of RALF genes is a valuable resource that further elucidates the roles of RALF family members in plant growth and development. In addition, comparative genomics analyses deepen our understanding of the evolution of RALF gene family and will contribute to further genetics and genomics studies of other monocot and dicot plant species.