• Molecules and Cells
• /
• v.38 no.6
• /
• pp.580-586
• /
• 2015

While increasing evidence indicates the important function of histone methylation during development, how this process influences cardiac development in vertebrates has not been explored. Here, we elucidate the functions of two histone H3 lysine 4 (H3K4) methylation enzymes, SMYD3 and SETD7, during zebrafish heart morphogenesis using gene expression profiling by whole mount in situ hybridization and antisense morpholino oligonucleotide (MO)-based gene knockdown. We find both smyd3 and setd7 are highly expressed within developing zebrafish heart and knock-down of these genes led to severe defects in cardiac morphogenesis without altering the expressions pattern of heart markers, including cmlc2, vmhc, and amhc. Furthermore, double knock-down by coinjection of smyd3 and setd7 MOs caused the synergistic defects in heart development. As similar to knock-down effect, overexpression of these genes also caused the heart morphogenesis defect in zebrafish. These results indicate that histone modifying enzymes, SMYD3 and SETD7, appear to function synergistically during heart development and their proper functioning is essential for normal heart morphogenesis during development.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers B
• /
• v.37 no.4
• /
• pp.387-394
• /
• 2013

Hydrogen-compressed natural gas (HCNG) blend has attracted attention as a fuel that can reduce $CO_2$ emissions because it has low carbon content and burns efficiently. An increase in the compression ratio of HCNG engines was considered as one of the methods to improve their efficiency and reduce $CO_2$ emissions. However, a high combustion rate and flame temperature cause abnormal combustion such as pre-ignition or knocks, which in turn can cause damage to the engine components and decrease the engine power. In this study, the performance and knock characteristics with a change in the compression ratio of an HCNG engine were analyzed. The combustion characteristics of HCNG fuel were evaluated as a function of the excess air ratio using a conventional CNG engine. The effects of the compression ratio on the engine performance were evaluated through the same experimental procedures.

• Korea Trade Review
• /
• v.42 no.5
• /
• pp.19-42
• /
• 2017

Nowaday typically international commercial transaction, buyer and seller communicate with each other using standard forms. So called "the battle of forms" results from the exchanges of these forms. There are several problems that have to be solved in the battle of the forms. For example, Do the exchanges of the different terms form a contract? What are the contract terms? Which party's terms could apply? etc. Around the world, two basic types of rules are applied to solve the problem as to the battle of forms : last-shot rule and knock-out rule. In 2015, Hague Conference in Private International Law finally approved Hague Principles. The principles deal with the battle of the forms. Also in 2013, CISG Advisory Council adopted the "Black letter rules" to provide an effective way of resolving regarding the inclusion of standard terms under the CISG. This study would try to comprehensively review the battle of forms concerning Hague Principles and CISG. The aim of this study is to propose the most appropriate way to resolve the problem of the battle of forms both parties.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Potoscience Conference
• /
• 2002.06a
• /
• pp.47-47
• /
• 2002

• Molecules and Cells
• /
• v.41 no.5
• /
• pp.454-464
• /
• 2018

Crosstalk between G-protein signaling and glutamatergic transmission within the brain reward circuits is critical for long-term emotional effects (depression and anxiety), cravings, and negative withdrawal symptoms associated with opioid addiction. A previous study showed that Regulator of G-protein signaling 4 (RGS4) may be implicated in opiate action in the nucleus accumbens (NAc). However, the mechanism of the NAc-specific RGS4 actions that induce the behavioral responses to opiates remains largely unknown. The present study used a short hairpin RNA (shRNA)-mediated knock-down of RGS4 in the NAc of the mouse brain to investigate the relationship between the activation of ionotropic glutamate receptors and RGS4 in the NAc during morphine reward. Additionally, the shRNA-mediated RGS4 knock-down was implemented in NAc/striatal primary-cultured neurons to investigate the role that striatal neurons have in the morphine-induced activation of ionotropic glutamate receptors. The results of this study show that the NAc-specific knock-down of RGS4 significantly increased the behaviors associated with morphine and did so by phosphorylation of the GluR1 (Ser831) and NR2A (Tyr1325) glutamate receptors in the NAc. Furthermore, the knock-down of RGS4 enhanced the phosphorylation of the GluR1 and NR2A glutamate receptors in the primary NAc/striatal neurons during spontaneous morphine withdrawal. These findings show a novel molecular mechanism of RGS4 in glutamatergic transmission that underlies the negative symptoms associated with morphine administration.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.12 no.2
• /
• pp.219-225
• /
• 2002

The organization of eukayotic chromatin into specific conformation that are associated with transcription, replication, reapir and other nuclear processes are achieved via a series of DNA-protein interaction. These interactions are mediated by a range of DNA-binding domains such as SAP domain et at. By searching S. pombe genomic DNA database, we have found a gene named SAPuvs (SAP UV Sensitive) whose amino acid sequence is in part similar to SAP domain of Arabidopsis poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase and Ku7O. Knock-out cell of S. pombe SAPuvs gene was constructed using Ura4 as a selection marker. Survival analysis of knock-out cell indicated that treatment with UV significantly reduces the survival compared to wild type cell. Potentiation of MMS-induced cytotoxicity by 3AB post-treatment was observed in wild type cells, but not in knock-out cells. These data suggested that the protein encoded by SAPuvs gene is associated with chromatin reorganization during DNA repair.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
• /
• v.38 no.2
• /
• pp.71-77
• /
• 2014

The specific genetic modification in porcine somatic cells by gene targeting has been very difficult because of low efficiency of homologous recombination. To improve gene targeting, we designed three kinds of knock-out vectors with ${\alpha}1,3$-galactosyltransferase gene (${\alpha}1,3$-GT gene), DT-A/pGT5'/neo/pGT3', DT-A/NLS/pGT5'/neo/pGT3' and pGT5'/neo/ pGT3'/NLS. The knock-out vectors consisted of a 4.8-kb fragment as the 5' recombination arm (pGT5') and a 1.9-kb fragment as the 3' recombination arm (pGT3'). We used the neomycin resistance gene (neo) as a positive selectable marker and the diphtheria toxin A (DT-A) gene as a negative selectable marker. These vectors have a neo gene insertion in exon 9 for inactivation of ${\alpha}1,3$-GT locus. DT-A/pGT5'/neo/pGT3' vector contain only positive-negative selection marker with conventional targeting vector. DT-A/NLS/pGT5'/neo/pGT3' vector contain positive-negative selection marker and NLS sequences in upstream of 5' recombination arm which enhances nuclear transport of foreign DNA into bovine somatic cells. pGT5'/neo/pGT3'/NLS vector contain only positive selection marker and NLS sequence in downstream of 3' recombination arm, not contain negative selectable marker. For transfection, linearzed vectors were introduced into porcine ear fibroblasts by electroporation. After 48 hours, the transfected cells were selected with $300{\mu}g/ml$ G418 during 12 day. The G418-resistant colonies were picked, of which 5 colonies were positive for ${\alpha}1,3$-GT gene disruption in 3' PCR and southern blot screening. Three knock-out somatic cells were obtained from DT-A/NLS/ pGT5'/neo/pGT3' knock-out vector. Thus, these data indicate that gene targeting vector using nuclear localization signal and negative selection marker improve targeting efficiency in porcine somatic cells.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
• /
• v.27 no.1
• /
• pp.9-14
• /
• 2012

This study was conducted to analyze the transgenic efficiency and sex ratio in ${\alpha}$-1,3-galactosyltransferase (GalT) knock-out (KO) transgenic pigs according to generation. GalT KO piglets were produced by artificial insemination or natural mating. The transgenic confirmation of GalT KO was evaluated by PCR amplification using specific primers. After electrophoresis, three types of bands were detected such as 2.3 kb single band (Wild), 2.3 and 3.6kb double bands (GalT KO -/+; heterozygote), and 3.6kb single band (GalT KO -/-; homozygote). Transgenic efficiency in F1 generation was 64.5% (23/35) of GalT KO (-/+). In F2 generation, GalT KO transgenic efficiency was 36.4% (21/57, Wild), 47.5% (28/57, GalT KO -/+), and 16.1% (8/57, GalT KO -/-), respectively. Interestingly, no homozygote piglets were born in 6 deliveries among total 11 deliveries, although they were pregnant between male (M) and female (F) $F_1$ heterozygote. In the 5 litters including at least one GalT KO -/- piglet, the transgenic efficiency was 13.3% (2/24, Wild), 51.3% (14/24, GalT KO -/+), and 35.3% (8/24, GalT KO -/-), respectively. The sex ratio of M and F was 40:60 in $F_1$ and 49:51 in $F_2$ generation, respectively. Based on these results, GalT KO transgenic pigs have had a reproductive ability with a normal range of transgenic efficiency and sex ratio.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
• /
• v.35 no.3
• /
• pp.385-390
• /
• 2011

The purpose of this study was undertaken to evaluate of cryopreservation efficiency in ${\alpha}$ 1,3-galactosyltransferase knock-out(GalT KO) cloned miniature pig sperm. To compare ability of frozen-thawed sperm characteristics, three different pig strains (GalT KO) cloned miniature pig, PWG miniature pig and Duroc were used. The ejaculated semen from the three pig species was diluted with same volume extender and added to LEY solution for freezing. The diluted semen was placed in 0.5 ml straws, and freezing was initiated by exposing the straws to liquid nitrogen ($LN_2$) vapours for 10 min before placing them into $LN_2$ for cryopreservation. After thawing, the sperm ability were assessed for viability (SYBR-14/PI staining), abnormality (Rose Bengal staining), and acrosome status (intactness, intensity and capacitation) (chlorotetracycline, CTC staining). The viability of frozen-thawed GalT KO pig sperm had no significant difference as compared with Duroc and PWG miniature pig sperm. However, The CTC pattern of frozen-thawed GalT KO cloned miniature pig spermatozoa showed significantly lower rates in F pattern and AR pattern (p<0.05) and significantly higher rates in B pattern than Duroc and PWG miniature pig (p<0.05). The abnormality of GalT KO cloned miniature pig sperm was significantly lower as compared to Duroc and PWG miniature pig sperm (p<0.05). In conclusion, GalT KO cloned miniature pig semen can be cryopreserved successfully and used for artificial insemination reasonably.

• Journal of the Korean Operations Research and Management Science Society
• /
• v.38 no.3
• /
• pp.37-50
• /
• 2013

The purpose of this study is to determine the indicators and the criteria to classify types of train delays of high-speed rail in South Korea. Types of train delays have divided into the chronic delays and the knock-on delays. The Indicators based on relevance, reliability, and comparability were selected with arrival delay rate of over five minutes, median of arrival delays of preceding train and following train, knock-on delay rate of over five minutes, correlation of delay between preceding train and following train on intermediate and last stations, average train headway, average number of passengers per train, and average seat usages. Types of train delays were separated using the Ward's hierarchical cluster analysis. The criteria for classification of train delay were presented by the Fisher's linear discriminant. The analysis on the situational characteristics of train delays is as follows. If the train headway in last station is short, the probability of chronic delay is high. If the planned running times of train is short, the seriousness of chronic delay is high. The important causes of train delays are short headway of train, shortly planned running times, delays of preceding train, and the excessive number of passengers per train.