• Molecules and Cells
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• v.41 no.12
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• pp.1024-1032
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• 2018

The central mechanisms coordinating growth and sexual maturation are well conserved across invertebrates and vertebrates. Although mutations in the gene encoding makorin RING finger protein 3 (mkrn3) are associated with central precocious puberty in humans, a causal relationship has not been elucidated. Here, we examined the role of mkrn1, a Drosophila ortholog of mammalian makorin genes, in the regulation of developmental timing. Loss of MKRN1 in $mkrn1^{exS}$ prolonged the $3^{rd}$ instar stage and delayed the onset of pupariation, resulting in bigger size pupae. MKRN1 was expressed in the prothoracic gland, where the steroid hormone ecdysone is produced. Furthermore, $mkrn1^{exS}$ larvae exhibited reduced mRNA levels of phantom, which encodes ecdysone-synthesizing enzyme and E74, which is a down-stream target of ecdysone. Collectively, these results indicate that MKRN1 fine-tunes developmental timing and sexual maturation by affecting ecdysone synthesis in Drosophila. Moreover, our study supports the notion that malfunction of makorin gene family member, mkrn3 dysregulates the timing of puberty in mammals.

• Animal Systematics, Evolution and Diversity
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.33-36
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• 2019

The marine interstitial annelid Pharyngocirrus uchidai(Sasaki, 1981) has been only known from Japan. In this study, we report the occurrence of P. uchidai for the first time in four localities along the eastern coast of Korea: Bukmyeon, Gamchu, Gase, and Oeongchi. Species identification was confirmed by comparison of DNA barcoding sequences with morphological examination from the type locality, Oshoro, Japan. We generated a total of 25 sequences of a partial segment (580 bp) of the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene (COI), representing five specimens from each locality. Maximum intra-specific variation was 1.2% in terms of Kimura two-parameter (K2P) distance, observed between two individuals each from Gamchu (i.e., between two specimens from the single locality), Gamchu and Oeongchi, Gamchu and Oshoro, and Oeongchi and Oshoro. On the other hand, an identical haplotype was found in all the five localities, substantiating our species identification for the Korean populations. Inter-specific K2P distance between P. uchidai and an unidentified Saccocirrus sp. from Canada (based on public database entries) was 22.4-23.4%.

• Journal of Animal Reproduction and Biotechnology
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.2-8
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• 2021

Dimethachlor is a synthetic herbicide, belonging to the chloroacetanilide group, that inhibits the undesirable growth of weeds via the suppression of very long-chain fatty acid synthesis. Although dimethachlor has been shown to run off from agricultural fields into aquatic ecosystems, the toxicity of dimethachlor on aquatic invertebrates and vertebrates is unknown. In our study, we assessed the toxicity of dimethachlor on developing zebrafish embryos by analyzing viability, hatching ability, and phenotypic changes. Embryonic viability decreased from 48 h post-fertilization (hpf) at the highest concentration of dimethachlor. Decreased hatching ratio, shortened body length, and pathological changes in the eye, heart, and yolk sac were observed at sub-lethal concentrations. Additionally, dimethachlor increased the number of apoptotic cells and level of reactive oxygen species 120 hpf. Our results indicate that dimethachlor may act as an anti-developmental toxicant when accumulated in an aquatic environment.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.46 no.7
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• pp.399-413
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• 2023

cAMP responsive element-binding protein (CREB) is one of the most intensively studied phosphorylation-dependent transcription factors that provide evolutionarily conserved mechanisms of differential gene expression in vertebrates and invertebrates. Many cellular protein kinases that function downstream of distinct cell surface receptors are responsible for the activation of CREB. Upon functional dimerization of the activated CREB to cis-acting cAMP responsive elements within the promoters of target genes, it facilitates signal-dependent gene expression. From the discovery of CREB, which is ubiquitously expressed, it has been proven to be involved in a variety of cellular processes that include cell proliferation, adaptation, survival, differentiation, and physiology, through the control of target gene expression. In this review, we highlight the essential roles of CREB proteins in the nervous system, the immune system, cancer development, hepatic physiology, and cardiovascular function and further discuss a wide range of CREB-associated diseases and molecular mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of these diseases.

• Journal of Marine Life Science
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2018

Myosin is considered as the vital motor protein in vertebrates and invertebrates. Our present study was conducted to decipher the occurrence of myosin in dog fish (Squalus mitsukurii). We isolated one clone containing 979 bp cDNA sequence, which consisted of a complete coding sequence of 453 bp and a deduced amino acid sequence of 150 amino acids from the open reading frame with molecular weight, isoelectric point and aliphatic index are 16.72 Kda, 4.49 and 78.00, respectively. It contained 428 bp long 3' UTR with single potential polyadenylation signals (AATAAA). The predicted EF CA²⁺ binding domains were identified in residue 6-41, 83-118 and 133-150. A BLAST search indicates this protein exhibits a strong similarity to whale shark (Rhincodon typus) MLC3 (91% identical) and also house mouse (Mus musculus) MLC isoform 3f (81% identical). Phylogenetic analysis revealed that this protein is a MLC 3 isoform like protein. This protein also demonstrates highly conserved region with other myosin proteins. Homology modeling of S. mitsukuri was performed using crystal structure of Gallus gallus skeletal muscle myosin II based on high similarity. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (PCR), quantitative PCR results exhibits dogfish myosin protein is highly expressed in muscle tissue.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.367-373
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• 2012

Population ecology (Ecological characteristics) of Squalidus japonicus coreanus from the Namhan River(Yangpyeong-gun Yangpyeong-eup Changde-ri), Gyeonggi-do, Korea were investigated from January to December 2011. Short barbel gudgeon inhabits habitats run of the lower river. The stream bed was mostly covered sand. Their current velocities were 0.14~1.38m/sec and depths were 80~120cm. The sex ratio of female to male was 1 : 0.82. It is presumed that the spawning season is from June to July and water temperatures were $18.5{\sim}24.3^{\circ}C$. Sexually matured individuals appeared over the two year of age. Frequency analysis of total length indicated that the group with 34~50mm in total length was one year old, the 51~74mm was two years old, and the group over 75mm was three years old. The average number of eggs in the ovaries was estimated as 1,871 per matured female. Stomach content of S. japonicus coreanus were Cyanophyta, Chlorophyta, Bacillariophyta, Rotatoria, Crustaceae, Copepoda, Ephemeroptera, Diptera, and Nematoda. omnivorous, mainly feeds on benthic invertebrates such as chironomidae larvae.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Marine Environment & Safety
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.186-192
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• 2013

Because of the shallow depth of 44 m and large area of wetland in Korea and China, the class I productivity of Yellow Sea is very high (>300 $gC/m^2/year$), which is supporting substantial populations of fish, invertebrates, marine mammals and seabirds. However, the Yellow Sea is a large marine ecosystem which is enclosed by mainland of China and Korean peninsula, so it is vulnerable to external stress such as environmental degradation and overfishing. Recently, since the Fisheries Agreement between Korea and China, overfishing and illegal fishing of China and environmental degradation caused by coastal development in Korea and China have given much stress to the marine ecosystem of Yellow Sea. This article suggests that the major factors of governance are ineffectively responding to the growing demand for exploitation of the Yellow Sea and the international cooperation for establishing network of Yellow Sea governance is urgent.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.321-327
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• 2013

The innate immune system is the only defense weapon that invertebrates have, and it is the fundamental defense mechanism for fish. The innate immune response is important in newly hatched flounders because it is closely involved in the initial feeding phase, which is why it is essential for survival during the juvenile period. The expression analysis of genes involved in the innate immune response in the olive flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus) in the days after hatching is incomplete. Therefore, we have begun to examine the expression patterns of genes specifically induced during the development of the innate immune system in newly hatched flounders. Microscopic observation showed that pronephron formation corresponded with the expression of perforin-encoding gene. These results suggest that perforin plays a vital role in the innate immunity of the kidney during developmental stages. Perforin expression was strong at the start of the development of the innate immune response, and continued throughout all the development stages. Our findings have important implications with respect to perforin's biological role and the evolution of the first defense mechanisms in olive flounder. Further studies are required to elucidate the perforin-mediated innate immunity response and to decipher the functional role of perforin in developmental stages.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Fisheries and Ocean Technology
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.126-139
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• 2007

In the autumn of 2000 and spring of 2001, field surveys were conducted to estimate the effectiveness of artificial reefs (type cube, $2{\times}2{\times}2m^3$) that were established in the four islands of Bangnyeong, Socheong, Daeyeonpyeong and Ganghwa in Kyonggi Bay, the west coast of Korea during 1995 and 1996. The condition of reefs was examined through SCUBA diving and a side-scan sonar. Much of the reefs in Daeyeonpyeong and Ganghwa area were buried in bottom sediment. Despite an intensive search in Bangnyeong area, even a cluster of reefs was not found and most of them seemed to be buried by sand waves. Thus an appropriate investigation on the sediment transport should be included in pre-assessment for the expected performance and protection of artificial reefs. Distribution of average CPUE in natural fishing ground (control) was estimated by bootstrapping simulation and possible comparison of CPUE between control and reef areas (treatment) were made in Bangnyeong and Socheong (Experiment I). Positive reef effect was detected in Socheong but CPUE of treatment in Bangnyeong was varied between or lower than the 99% CPUE confidence intervals of the control. Control/treatment abundance and biomass of fishes and invertebrates were tested by paired t-test and sign test (Experiment II). Only four cases among 22 showed significant positive effect. Based on the results, the cube artificial reef in Socheong was inferred as an affirmative one. Floor type was hypothesized to be one of the probable agents in determining the effectiveness of artificial reefs.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.108-113
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• 2010

Spider fauna of Mt. Gajisan in Miryang, Gyeongsangnam-do was investigated from June to October. Collecting spiders was made by sweeping, beating, sieving and pitfall trapping. Total 66 species of 59 genera belonging to 20 families were identified from 317 collected spiders. Species richness was high in Salticidae (12 species, 20.0%), Theridiidae (8 species, 12.1%), Linyphiidae (5 species, 7.6%), Araneidae, Corinnidae, Gnaphosiade and Thomisidae (4 species, 6.1% repectively), Tetragnathidae, Amaurobiidae and Philodromidae (3 species, 4.5% repectively). Zoogeographical species were 1 Pantropical species (1.5%), 4 Palearctic species (6.1%) and 3 Korean endemic species (4.5%). This result will be a valuable monitoring data in comparative study of mountain spiders.