• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제32권4호
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• pp.493-503
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• 2022

Forkhead transcription factor 3a (Foxo3a) is believed to be a tumor suppressor as its inactivation leads to cell transformation and tumor development. However, further investigation is required regarding the involvement of the activating transcription factor 3 (ATF3)-mediated Tat-interactive protein 60 (Tip60)/Foxo3a pathway in cancer cell apoptosis. This study demonstrated that Chelidonium majus upregulated the expression of ATF3 and Tip60 and promoted Foxo3a nuclear translocation, ultimately increasing the level of Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax) protein. ATF3 overexpression stimulated Tip60 expression, while ATF3 inhibition by siRNA repressed Tip60 expression. Furthermore, siRNA-mediated Tip60 inhibition significantly promoted Foxo3a phosphorylation, leading to blockade of Foxo3a translocation into the nucleus. Thus, we were able to deduce that ATF3 mediates the regulation of Foxo3a by Tip60. Moreover, siRNA-mediated Foxo3a inhibition suppressed the expression of Bax and subsequent apoptosis. Taken together, our data demonstrate that Chelidonium majus induces SKOV-3 cell death by increasing ATF3 levels and its downstream proteins Tip60 and Foxo3a. This suggests a potential therapeutic role of Chelidonium majus against ovarian cancer.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제31권10호
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• pp.873-884
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• 2021

본 연구에서는 다양한 인체 암포주를 대상으로 NSAID의 항암 효과를 증강시키는 artesunate (ART)의 역할과 이에 대한 분자적 기전을 연구하였다. 다양한 타입의 암세포주를 대상으로 암세포 성장 억제 활성을 조사한 결과, ART는 NSAID인 celecoxib (CCB) 또는 dimethyl-CCB (DMC)와의 병용 효과를 나타내었다. ART 처리로 ATF4/CHOP의 발현 증강과 함께 오토파지 유도 표식인 p62 감소의 결과로서, ATF4/CHOP 경로가 ART의 오토파지 유도 활성에 관여할 것으로 예상되었으며, ART의 오토파지 활성과 관련하여 NRF2 및 암 줄기 세포 관련 단백질인 CD44, CD133, ALDH1, Oct4, mutated p53 (mutp53) 및 c-Myc의 발현이 감소되었다. 또한 DMC 단독처리 보다 ART와 DMC의 병용으로 ATF4/CHOP의 발현 증강과 p62의 감소가 더욱 촉진되고, NRF2 및 암 줄기 세포 관련 단백질 발현 감소도 현저히 촉진되면서 궁극적으로 PARP 활성화에 의해 apoptosis가 유도됨을 알 수 있었다. 이러한 결과는 ART/DMC 병용 처리가 각 물질 단독 처리보다 암세포의 성장 억제 및 apoptosis 유도에 더욱 효과적이고, ART 및 DMC 의 오토파지 유도 활성은 암 줄기 세포 관련 단백질의 분해를 촉진함으로써, 암 줄기 세포가 제거될 수 있음을 시사하였다. 이와 같이 ART는 NSAID 뿐만 아니라 imatinib의 항암 효과를 증강시키는 활성으로, chemosensitizer로서 중요한 후보 물질이 될 수 있음을 밝혔다.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• 제11권3호
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• pp.190-197
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• 2017

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Gallus gallus domesticus (GD) is a natural mutant breed of chicken in Korea with an atypical characterization of melanin in its tissue. This study investigated the effects of melanin extracts of GD on osteoblast differentiation and inhibition of osteoclast formation. MATERIALS/METHODS: The effects of the melanin extract of GD on human osteoblast MG-63 cell differentiation were examined by evaluating cell viability, osteoblast differentiation, and expression of osteoblast-specific transcription factors such as bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP-2), small mothers against decapentaplegic homologs 5 (SMAD5), runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2), osteocalcin and type 1 collagen (COL-1) by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and western blotting analysis. We investigated the inhibitory effect of melanin on the osteoclasts formation through tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) activity and TRAP stains in Raw 264.7 cell. RESULTS: The melanin extract of GD was not cytotoxic to MG-63 cells at concentrations of $50-250{\mu}g/mL$. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and bone mineralization of melanin extract-treated cells increased in a dose-dependent manner from 50 to $250{\mu}g/mL$ and were 149% and 129% at $250{\mu}g/mL$ concentration, respectively (P < 0.05). The levels of BMP-2, osteocalcin, and COL-1 gene expression were significantly upregulated by 1.72-, 4.44-, and 2.12-fold in melanin-treated cells than in the control cells (P < 0.05). The levels of RUNX2 and SMAD5 proteins were higher in melanin-treated cells than in control vehicle-treated cells. The melanin extract attenuated the formation of receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand-induced TRAP-positive multinucleated RAW 264.7 cells by 22%, and was 77% cytotoxic to RAW 264.7 macrophages at a concentration of $500{\mu}g/mL$. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides evidence that the melanin extract promoted osteoblast differentiation by activating BMP/SMADs/RUNX2 signaling and regulating transcription of osteogenic genes such as ALP, type I collagen, and osteocalcin. These results suggest that the effective osteoblastic differentiation induced by melanin extract from GD makes it potentially useful in maintaining bone health.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제27권1호
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• pp.61-73
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• 2023

Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is a kind of malignant tumor with high incidence and mortality in the digestive system. The aim of this study is to explore the function of lnc-ABCA12-3 in the development of ESCC and its unique mechanisms. RT-PCR was applied to detect gene transcription levels in tissues or cell lines like TE-1, EC9706, and HEEC cells. Western blot was conducted to identify protein expression levels of mitochondrial apoptosis and toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)/nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) signaling pathway. CCK-8 and EdU assays were carried out to measure cell proliferation, and cell apoptosis was examined by flow cytometry. ELISA was used for checking the changes in glycolysis-related indicators. Lnc-ABCA12-3 was highly expressed in ESCC tissues and cells, which preferred it to be a candidate target. The TE-1 and EC9706 cells proliferation and glycolysis were obviously inhibited with the downregulation of lnc-ABCA12-3, while apoptosis was promoted. TLR4 activator could largely reverse the apoptosis acceleration and relieved the proliferation and glycolysis suppression caused by lnc-ABCA12-3 downregulation. Moreover, the effect of lnc-ABCA12-3 on ESCC cells was actualized by activating the TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway under the mediation of exosome. Taken together, the lnc-ABCA12-3 could promote the proliferation and glycolysis of ESCC, while repressing its apoptosis probably by regulating the TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway under the mediation of exosome.

• Journal of Microbiology
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• 제43권6호
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• pp.529-536
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• 2005

Viral infection causes stress to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). The response to endoplasmic reticulum stress, known as the unfolded protein response (UPR), is designed to eliminate misfolded proteins and allow the cell to recover. The role of hepatitis C virus (HCV) non-structural protein NS4B, a component of the HCV replicons that induce UPR, is incompletely understood. We demonstrate that HCV NS4B could induce activating transcription factor (ATF6) and inositol-requiring enzyme 1 (IRE1), to favor the HCV subreplicon and HCV viral replication. HCV NS4B activated the IRE1 pathway, as indicated by splicing of X box-binding protein (Xbp-1) mRNA. However, transcriptional activation of the XBP-1 target gene, EDEM (ER degradation-enhancing $\alpha-mannosidase-like$ protein, a protein degradation factor), was inhibited. These results imply that NS4B might induce UPR through ATF6 and IRE1-XBP1 pathways, but might also modify the outcome to benefit HCV or HCV subreplicon replication.

• 대한한의학방제학회지
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• 제26권4호
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• pp.307-318
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• 2018

Objectives : Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress designates cellular responses to the accumulation of misfolded and unfolded proteins in ER, which is related to a variety of liver diseases. Present study investigated the inhibitory effects of Litsea japonica flesh water extract (LJE) aganist ER stress. Methods : After HepG2 cells were pretreated with LJE and subsequently exposed to tunicamycin (Tm) or thapsigargin (Tg), expression of C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP), glucose regulated protein 78 kDa (GRP78), asparagine synthetase (ASNS), and endoplasmic reticulum DnaJ homologue 4 (ERDJ4) were determined by immunoblot and real-time PCR analysis. Three canonical signaling pathways in response to ER stress were examined to explore molecular mechanisms involved. Results : Pretreatment of 1 mg/mL LJE inhibited Tm- or Tg-induced CHOP expression, while L. japonica fruit water extract did not. In addition, LJE decreased the levels of GRP78, ASNS, and ERDJ4 mRNA by Tm. Moreover, phosphorylations of eukaryotic translation initiation factor $2{\alpha}$ and inositol-requiring enzyme 1, expression of nuclear form of activating transcription factor $6{\alpha}$, and transactivation of ER stress response element- and unfolded protein response element-harboring luciferase activities were inhibited by LJE pretreatment. Conclusions : Present results suggest that LJE would be a candidate to prevent or treat ER stress-mediated liver injuries.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• 제64권4호
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• pp.447-451
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• 2021

In this study, we discovered for the first time that linarin, a flavonoid compound, enhances melanin biosynthesis in B16F10 cells, and subsequently elucidated the underlying mechanism of linarin-induced melanogenesis. Linarin showed no cytotoxicity at a concentration of 42 μM and significantly increased intracellular tyrosinase activity and melanin content in B16F10 cells. Mechanistic analysis showed that linarin increased the expression of tyrosinase, tyrosinase-related protein 1 (TRP-1), and microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF) that are related to melanogenesis. Moreover, linarin decreased the phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and protein kinase B (AKT). Finally, we evaluated the effect of the structure-activity relationship of linarin and its aglycone on melanogenesis. The results indicated that linarin enhances the expression of melanogenic proteins by activating MITF expression via the modulation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K), and protein kinase B signaling pathways in B16F10 cells, thereby enhancing melanogenesis.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• 제53권6호
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• pp.583-595
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• 2020

본 연구에서는 괭생이 모자반 추출물의 소포체 스트레스 억제 효능을 연구하기 위하여 HepG2 간세포에 PA를 처리하여 소포체 스트레스를 유발한 후 추출물을 처리하여 UPR 관련 인자 발현 정도를 측정하였다. PA 750 μM 처리 시 UPR 관련 인자 (p-IRE1α, p-eIF2α, CHOP)의 단백질 발현이 가장 높게 나타나 소포체 스트레스를 효과적으로 유도함을 확인하였고 PA 750 μM를 12시간 처리 시 UPR 관련 인자 (p-IRE1α, p-eIF2α, CHOP)의 단백질 발현이 가장 높음을 확인하였다. 괭생이 모자반 처리 시 PA에 의해 상향 조절된 UPR 관련 인자의 mRNA 및 단백질 발현이 감소하여 PA로 유도된 소포체 스트레스에 대한 억제 효능이 있음을 보여주었다. 또한, 괭생이 모자반은 SIRT2, SIRT6 및 SIRT7의 mRNA의 발현을 증가시킴으로써 괭생이 모자반의 소포체 스트레스 억제 효능이 SIRT에 의한 것으로 확인되었다. 이러한 결과는 괭생이 모자반이 다양한 소포체 스트레스 관련 질병의 예방과 치료에 활용가능성이 있음을 시사한다.

• 한국발생생물학회지:발생과생식
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• 제10권2호
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• pp.105-113
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• 2006

세포의 대사과정에서 생성되는 활성산소종(reactive oxygen species : ROS)은 세포의 성숙과 발생 과정을 저해하며, 인간의 생식 수관에서 불임의 원인이 된다. 많은 세포생물학적 연구를 통해 ROS에 대한 세포 내의 보호 기작이 밝혀지고 있다. Activating transcription factor 4(ATF4)는 세포 내에서 산화적 스트레스를 비롯한 여러 스트레스 요인으로부터 세포를 보호하는 기작에 관여하는 중요한 인자로서, 스트레스에 의한 세포 사멸을 유도하는 유전자의 활성화와 관련이 있다고 알려져 있다. 본 연구에서는 착상 전 초기 배아의 발생 단계에서 ROS에 의한 산화적 스트레스가 배아의 발생에 영향을 준다는 보고와 관련하여 생쥐 초기배아에 산화적 스트레스 요인인 $H_2O_2$(hydrogen peroxide)를 처리한 후 ATF4 유전자의 발현 변화를 추적하였으며, ROS 방어에 관여하는 SOD1 유전자와 apoptosis 유전자인 Bax의 발현 양상을 함께 비교하였다. 또한 면역형광염색법을 이용하여 착상전 초기배아의 ATF4 단백질 발현 부위를 조사하였다. $H_2O_2$를 0.1 mM 농도로 처리한 2-세포기 배아에서는 처리 8시간 후인 4-세포기 단계부터 발생율이 감소하기 시작하였으며, 0.5 mM과 1.0 mM 농도에서는 배아의 발생이 진행되지 않았다. RT-PCR결과 SOD1 유전자의 발현은 $H_2O_2$를 처리한 모든 그룹에서 처리 1시간째인 2-세포기 배아단계에서 대조군보다 증가하였으며, ATF4 유전자 역시 2-세포기 배아단계에서 발현이 증가하였다. Bax 유전자도 통일한 시기에 발현이 증가하였다. ATF4 단백질의 배아 세포 내 발현부위는 스트레스 방어 기작이 주로 일어나는 세포질에서 많이 발현이 되었으며 포배기 배아에서는 내세포괴(inner cell mass)부위 보다는 영양외배엽(trophectoderm)에서 발현됨을 확인하였다. 2-세포기 배아에서 ATF4 immunoreactivity는 모든 $H_2O_2$농도 처리군에서 대조군보다 증가하였다. 이상의 결과에서, 착상 전 초기 배아에서 ROS에 의해 ATF4 발현이 유도됨을 확인하였다. 따라서 산화적 스트레스에 대해 배아를 보호하기 위한 방어 기작에 ATF4가 관여하는 것으로 사료되며, 세포 사멸 유전자의 발현과도 밀접한 관련이 있는 것으로 사료된다.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• 제14권1호
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• pp.43-54
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• 2011

Gene structure of copper/zinc-superoxide dismutase (Cu/Zn-SOD; sod1) was characterized in Hemibarbus mylodon (Teleostei; Cypriniformes), an endangered freshwater fish species in Korean peninsula. Full-length cDNA of H. mylodon SOD1 consisted of a 796-bp open reading frame sequence encoding 154 amino acids, and the deduced polypeptide sequence shared high sequence homology with other orthologs, particularly with regard to metal-coordinating ligands. Genomic structure of the H. mylodon sod1 gene (hmsod1; 1,911 bp from the ATG start codon to the stop codon) was typical quinquepartite (i.e., five exons interrupted by four introns); the lengths of the exons were similar among species belonging to various taxonomic positions. The molecular phylogeny inferred from sod1 genes in the teleost lineage was in accordance with the conventional taxonomic assumptions. 5'-flanking upstream region of hmsod1, obtained using the genome walking method, contained typical TATA and CAAT boxes. It also showed various transcription factor binding motifs that may be potentially involved in stress/immune response (e.g., sites for activating proteins or nuclear factor kappa B) or metabolism of xenobiotic compounds (e.g., xenobiotic response element; XRE). The hmsod1 transcripts were ubiquitously detected among tissues, with the liver and spleen showing the highest and lowest expression, respectively. An experimental challenge with Edwardsiella tarda revealed significant upregulation of the hmsod1 in kidney (4.3-fold) and spleen (3.1-fold), based on a real-time RT-PCR assay. Information on the molecular characteristics of this key antioxidant enzyme gene could be a useful basis for a biomarker-based assay to understand cellular stresses in this endangered fish species.