• 한방비만학회지
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• 제14권2호
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• pp.55-62
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• 2014

Objective: The prevalence of metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes is increasing worldwide. Mitochondrial dysfunction is known to be involved in insulin resistance and obesity, researches have been increasing highly. Astragali Radix extract (ARE) or its main components have been shown to perform comparably to insulin by significantly reducing blood glucose levels in animal models however, the influence on mitochondrial dysfunction are not well understood. Methods: ARE (0.2, 0.5 and 1.0 mg/ml) or metformin (2.5 mM) were treated in C2C12 after 6 day-differentiation. The expressions of adenosine monophosphate (AMP)-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and phosphorylation AMPK, peroxisome proliferators-activated receptror ${\gamma}$ coactivator $1{\alpha}$ ($PGC1{\alpha}$), nuclear respiratory factors 1 (NRF1), mitochondrial transcription factor (Tfam) and myosin heavy chain were detected with western blotting or polymerase chain reaction analysis. The morphological changes were also investigated. Results: ARE dose dependently increased phosphorylation of AMPK and respectively activated mRNA expressions of $PGC1{\alpha}$, NRF1 and Tfam which are mitochondrial biogenesis regulators. Furthermore, there were some morphologic differences of differentiated cells between ARE treatment and control. Conclusions: This study suggests that ARE has the potential to increase muscle mitochondrial function by activating AMPK and $PGC1{\alpha}$.

• 한방비만학회지
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• 제20권2호
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• pp.109-121
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• 2020

Objectives: Tanshinone I is a bioactive constituent in Salvia miltiorrhiza. At present, the anti-obesity effect and mechanism of tanshinone I are not fully understood. Here we investigated the effect of tanshinone I on lipid accumulation in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes and zebrafish. Methods: Lipid accumulation and triglyceride (TG) content in 3T3-L1 cells were determined by Oil Red O staining and AdipoRed assay, respectively. The expression and phosphorylation levels of adipogenic/lipogenic proteins in 3T3-L1 cells were evaluated by Western blotting. The messenger RNA (mRNA) expression levels of adipogenic/lipogenic markers and leptin in 3T3-L1 cells were measured by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Lipid accumulation in zebrafish was assessed by LipidGreen2 staining. Results: Tanshinone I at 5 μM largely blocked lipid accumulation and reduced TG content in differentiating 3T3-L1 cells. Furthermore, tanshinone I decreased the expression of CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein-α (C/EBP-α), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPAR-γ), fatty acid synthase (FAS), acetyl CoA carboxylase (ACC), and perilipin A but also the phosphorylation of signal transducer and activator of transcription-3 (STAT-3) in differentiating 3T3-L1 cells. In addition, tanshinone I increased the phosphorylation of adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP)-activated protein kinase (AMPK) while decreased the intracellular adenosine triphosphate (ATP) content with no change in the phosphorylation and expression of liver kinase-B1 in differentiating 3T3-L1 cells. Importantly, tanshinone I also reduced the extent of lipid deposit formation in developing zebrafish. Conclusions: These findings demonstrate that tanshinone I has strong anti-adipogenic effects on 3T3-L1 cells and reduces adiposity in zebrafish, and these anti-adipogenic effect in 3T3-L1 cells are mediated through control of C/EBP-α, PPAR-γ, STAT-3, FAS, ACC, perilipin A, and AMPK.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제43권4호
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• pp.589-599
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• 2019

Background: Panax ginseng Meyer is known as a conventional herbal medicine, and ginsenoside Rg1, a steroid glycoside, is one of its components. Although Rg1 has been proved to have an antiobesity effect, the mechanism of this effect and whether it involves adipose browning have not been elucidated. Methods: 3T3-L1 and subcutaneous white adipocytes from mice were used to access the thermogenic effect of Rg1. Adipose mitochondria and uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) expression were analyzed by immunofluorescence. Protein level and mRNA of UCP1 were also evaluated by Western blotting and realtime polymerase chain reaction, respectively. Results: Rg1 dramatically enhanced expression of brown adipocyte-especific markers, such as UCP1 and fatty acid oxidation genes, including carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1. In addition, it modulated lipid metabolism, activated 5' adenosine monophosphate (AMP)-activated protein kinase, and promoted lipid droplet dispersion. Conclusions: Rg1 increases UCP1 expression and mitochondrial biogenesis in 3T3-L1 and subcutaneous white adipose cells isolated from C57BL/6 mice. We suggest that Rg1 exerts its antiobesity effects by promoting adipocyte browning through activation of the AMP-activated protein kinase pathway.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제44권2호
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• pp.341-349
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• 2020

Background: The replicative senescence of human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs) is accompanied by growth arrest. In our previous study, the treatment of senescent HDFs with Rg3(S) lowered the intrinsic reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and reversed cellular senescence by inducing peroxiredoxin-3, an antioxidant enzyme. However, the signaling pathways involved in Rg3(S)-induced senescence reversal in HDFs and the relatedness of the stereoisomer Rg3(R) in corresponding signaling pathways are not known yet. Methods: We performed senescence-associated β-galactosidase and cell cycle assays in Rg3(S)-treated senescent HDFs. The levels of ROS, adenosine triphosphate (ATP), and cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) as well as the mitochondrial DNA copy number, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD)⁺/1,4-dihydronicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) ratio, and NAD-dependent sirtuins expression were measured and compared among young, old, and Rg3(S)-pretreated old HDFs. Major signaling pathways of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Akt, 5' adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK), and sirtuin 1/3, including cell cycle regulatory proteins, were examined by immunoblot analysis. Results: Ginsenoside Rg3(S) reversed the replicative senescence of HDFs by restoring the ATP level and NAD⁺/NADH ratio in downregulated senescent HDFs. Rg3(S) recovered directly the cellular levels of ROS and the NAD⁺/NADH ratio in young HDFs inactivated by rotenone. Rg3(S) mainly downregulated phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Akt through the inhibition of mTOR by cell cycle regulators like p53/p21 in senescent HDFs, whereas Rg3(R) did not alter the corresponding signaling pathways. Rg3(S)-activated sirtuin 3/PGC1α to stimulate mitochondrial biogenesis. Conclusion: Cellular molecular analysis suggests that Rg3(S) specifically reverses the replicative senescence of HDFs by modulating Akt-mTOR-sirtuin signaling to promote the biogenesis of mitochondria.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제20권1호
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• pp.9-14
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• 2016

Adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) participates in the regulation of numerous cellular functions, including the $Na^+-K^+$-ATPase (sodium pump). Ouabain, used in the treatment of several heart diseases, is known to increase cAMP levels but its effects on the atrium are not understood. The aim of the present study was to examine the effect of ouabain on the regulation of atrial cAMP production and its roles in atrial endothelin-1 (ET-1) secretion in isolated perfused beating rabbit atria. Our results showed that ouabain ($3.0{\mu}mol/L$) significantly increased atrial dynamics and cAMP levels during recovery period. The ouabain-increased atrial dynamics was blocked by KB-R7943 ($3.0{\mu}mol/L$), an inhibitor for reverse mode of $Na^+-Ca^{2+}$ exchangers (NCX), but did not by L-type $Ca^{2+}$ channel blocker nifedipine ($1.0{\mu}mol/L$) or protein kinase A (PKA) selective inhibitor H-89 ($3.0{\mu}mol/L$). Ouabain also enhanced atrial intracellular cAMP production in response to forskolin and theophyline ($100.0{\mu}mol/L$), an inhibitor of phosphodiesterase, potentiated the ouabain-induced increase in cAMP. Ouabain and 8-Bromo-cAMP ($0.5{\mu}mol/L$) markedly increased atrial ET-1 secretion, which was blocked by H-89 and by PD98059 ($30{\mu}mol/L$), an inhibitor of extracellular-signal-regulated kinase (ERK) without changing ouabain-induced atrial dynamics. Our results demonstrated that ouabain increases atrial cAMP levels and promotes atrial ET-1 secretion via the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)/ERK signaling pathway. These findings may explain the development of cardiac hypertrophy in response to digitalis-like compounds.

• 대한의생명과학회지
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• 제20권2호
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• pp.62-69
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• 2014

Previous our study demonstrated that ailanthoidol (3-deformylated 2-arylbenzo[b]furan), a neolignan from Zanthoxylum ailanthoides or Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge, is a novel anti-inflammatory agent. In this investigation, we examined the anti-adipogenic effect of ailanthoidol. Our data showed that ailanthoidol suppressed lipid droplet formation and adipocyte differentiation in 3T3-L1 cells. Treatment of the 3T3-L1 adipocytes with ailanthoidol resulted in an attenuation of the releases of leptin and interleukin-6. The expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor $(PPAR){\gamma}$ and CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein $(C/EBP){\alpha}$, the central transcriptional regulators of adipogenesis, was decreased by treatment with ailanthoidol. Additionally, ailanthoidol treatment increased the phosphorylation levels of 5' adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase. These results suggest that ailanthoidol effectively suppresses adipogenesis and that it exerts its role mainly through the significant down-regulation of $PPAR{\gamma}$ and $C/EBP{\alpha}$ expression. Our findings provide important insights into the mechanisms underlying the anti-adipogenic activity of ailanthoidol.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제9권4호
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• pp.429-435
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• 1999

An adenosine 5'-monophosphate deaminase (AMP aminohydrolase, EC 3.5.4.6) was purified to homogeneity from the cell-free extract of Saccharomyces cerevisiae DKCTC7248. The molecular mass of subunit was estimated to be 80 kDa on SDS-PAGE, and that of the holoenzyme was shown to be 240 kDa by gel filtration. The isoelectric point of the enzyme (AMP deaminase D) was determined to be 6.2. The AMP deaminase D was specific towards AMP with an apparent $K_m$ value of 4.1 mM and a Hill coefficient, $n_H$, of 2.2. Both ATP and ADP were positive allosteric effectors of the AMP deaminase D: The apparent $K_{m}$ was decreased to 1.6 mM and 3.3 mM in the presence of 0.1 mM ATP and ADP, respectively, lowering $n_{H}$ to 1.0. Univalent cations like $K^+, Na^+ and Li^ +$ activated the enzyme but some divalent cations such as $Cu^{ 2+} and Cd^{2+}$ showed strong inhibitory effects. This enzyme displayed optimum activity at $30^{\circ}C$ and pH 7.0. In addition, it was stable up to $45^{\circ}C$ and over a wide pH range(pH 5.5-9.0). Amino acid sequences of its N-terminal region were analyzed to be ADYKMQMFADDA.

• BMB Reports
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• 제36권3호
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• pp.299-304
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• 2003

For deciphering the cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) signaling pathway, we employed chemical proteomics to identify the novel target molecules of cGMP. We used cGMP that was immobilized onto agarose beads with linkers directed at three different positions of cGMP. We performed a pull-down assay using the beads as baits on tissue lysates and identified 9 proteins by MALDI-TOF (Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Time-of-Flight) mass spectrometry. Some of the identified proteins were previously known cGMP targets, including cGMP-dependent protein kinase and cGMP-stimulated phosphodiesterase. Surprisingly, some of the co-precipitated proteins were never formerly reported to associate with the cGMP signaling pathway. The competition binding assays showed that the interactions are not by nonspecific binding to either the linker or bead itself, but by specific binding to cGMP. Furthermore, we observed that the interactions are highly specific to cGMP against other nucleotides, such as cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) and 5'-GMP, which are structurally similar to cGMP. As one of the identified targets, MAPK1 was confirmed by immunoblotting with an anti-MAPK1 antibody. For further proof, we observed that the membrane-permeable cGMP (8-bromo cyclic GMP) stimulated mitogen-activated protein kinase 1 signaling in the treated cells. Our present study suggests that chemical proteomics can be a very useful and powerful technique for identifying the target proteins of small bioactive molecules.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• 제26권3호
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• pp.200-206
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• 2020

The ability of the total extract from Physalis angulata; three fractions after partitioning with n-hexane, ethyl acetate (TBE), and water; and four withanolides (compounds 1 - 4) to phosphorylate 5'-adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC) in HepG2 cells was evaluated. The TBE fraction (50 ㎍/mL) activated p-ACC and p-AMPK expression most strongly. Compounds 1 - 4 (10 μM) upregulated p-ACC expression at different levels. Compound 4 induced the most significant changes in p-AMPK expression, followed by 1 and 2. Sterol regulatory element-binding proteins (SREBPs) play a functional role in the transcriptional regulation of the lipogenic pathway, including fatty acid synthase (FAS) and ACC. The effects of compounds 2 and 4 (10 μM) on FAS and SREBP-1c expression under high glucose conditions (30 mM) in HepG2 cells were evaluated further. Both dose-dependently inhibited FAS and SREBP-1c expression as well as lipid accumulation (1 - 10 μM) were compared to high-concentration glucose control, which upregulated FAS and SREBP-1c. These results suggest that compounds 2 and 4 upregulate AMPK, suppress FAS and SREBP-1c, and have potential effects on glucose and lipid metabolism.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• 제20권3호
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• pp.26.1-26.9
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• 2020

Cereblon (CRBN), a negative modulator of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), is highly expressed in the retina. We confirmed the expression of CRBN in ARPE-19 human retinal cells by Western blotting. We also demonstrated that CRBN knock-down (KD) could effectively downregulate IL-6 and MCP-1 protein and gene expression in LPS-stimulated ARPE-19 cells. Additionally, CRBN KD increased the phosphorylation of AMPK/acetylcoenzyme A carboxylase (ACC) and the expression of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) in ARPE-19 cells. Furthermore, CRBN KD significantly reduced LPS-induced nuclear translocation of NF-κB p65 and activation of NF-κB promoter activity. However, these processes could be inactivated by compound C (inhibitor of AMPK) and zinc protoporphyrin-1 (ZnPP-1; inhibitor of HO-1). In conclusion, compound C and ZnPP-1 can rescue LPS-induced levels of proinflammatory cytokines (IL-6 and MCP-1) in CRBN KD ARPE-19 cells. Our data demonstrate that CRBN deficiency negatively regulates proinflammatory cytokines via the activation of AMPK/HO-1 in the retina.